PHOENIX (AP/CBS5) -
The defense began its case Tuesday in the murder trial of Jodi Arias who is accused in the gruesome slaying of her ex-lover Travis Alexander in Arizona.
On Tuesday, Arias' ex-boyfriend took the stand. Darryl Brewer and Arias were together for four years.
Brewer testified that Arias was a very responsible, caring and loving person.
During the cross examination, Brewer admitted that Arias changed when she started working for pre-paid legal services, which is where she met Alexander.
"I saw a lot of changes in Jodi. She became a different person than I had known previously," Brewer said on the stand.
[Watch live streaming video of the trial on cbs5az.com]
Arias was adamant at first that she knew nothing about Alexander's death, that she didn't slit his throat, stab him nearly 30 times or put a bullet in his forehead.
Then she offered a different story: Masked intruders killed Alexander and she escaped.
Arias finally settled on a third version: She had slain her abusive, on-again, off-again boyfriend in self-defense.
Her different stories will pose a formidable obstacle as her attorneys present their case in Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix in a trial that has become a cable TV news sensation.
A number of legal experts agree the primary goal for the defense will be to spare Arias the death penalty.
Arias is expected to take the stand and testify on her behalf.
Stay with cbs5az.com and CBS 5 News for updates in the case.
Copyright 2013 CBS 5 (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Travis Alexander and Jodi Arias
Jodi Arias during her trial in the death of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander.
