32-Year-Old Stands Trial For Murder Of Ex-Boyfriend

INSIDE EDITION reports on the case of Jodi Arias, who is standing trial for stabbing her ex-boyfriend 27 times. She says she's innocent and acted in self-defense.

A beautiful young woman, Jodi Arias, is on trial for her life. She stands accused of stabbing her ex-boyfriend 27 times.

"I know that I'm innocent. God knows I'm innocent," she told INSIDE EDITION in a 2008 exclusive jailhouse interview after she was accused of murdering Travis Alexander, a popular motivational speaker she dated for five months.

32-year-old Jodi Arias won a jailhouse version of American Idol while she was awaiting trial in Phoenix, Arizona, singing the Christmas carol “O Holy Night."

But, there was nothing holy about what happened in the home of her ex-boyfriend back in 2008.

As her capital murder trial opened today, prosecutors claimed she had sex with Travis, then shot him, stabbed him 27 times, and even cut his throat.

Investigators discovered a camera which showed nude pictures of Jodi as well as photos she took of Travis bleeding from his wounds.

She claimed in her interview with INSIDE EDITION that Travis was the victim of a home invasion.

But now she's completely changing her story. Her defense is that her 30-year-old ex-boyfriend was physically and sexually abusive and she killed him in self defense.

Travis Alexander was a natural performer who used his vivid personality to energize and inspire salespeople.

He created his character in a black wig and dark sunglasses, as a comic element in his motivational speeches.

Travis’ brother said that Travis would never have attacked Jodi. “I know her true side. And I ask people to please not buy into this sweet innocent personality she puts on” said his brother.

The trial also ignited a fiery exchange between Nancy Grace and Dan Abrams on Good Morning America.

Abrams exclaimed, "Maybe the death penalty is funny to you, but it's not funny to me.  The death penalty is serious business Nancy."

Grace returned fire by saying, "Guys, she took picture of his dead body, in the shower. She was with him dead and naked in the shower."

Arias told INSIDE EDITION in 2008, “No jury is going to convict me because I am innocent and you can mark my words on that. No jury is going to convict me.”

As the trial unfolds, that tune may change too.