Jodi Arias, who was convicted of the murder of her former boyfriend Jason Alexander last year, has been sentenced to life behind bars without the possibility of parole.

Jodi Arias Sentenced

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sherry Stephens announced her decision to sentence Arias to life in prison to the end of her natural life in court Monday morning, according to the Arizona Republic. Stephens decided not to give Arias the lighter sentence of life in prison with the possibility of release after 25 years.

Both Arias and her mother Sandy Arias had attempted to secure the lighter sentencing during the convicted murderer’s final plea to Judge Stephens.

“I wish there was something I could do to take it back,” Arias said. Her mother contributed, “I know that she is not the monster she is made out to be.”

Calling Arias’ killing of Alexander – which included 30 stab wounds – “especially cruel,” Stephens explained her sentencing. “It involved substantial planning and preparation,” she said. “The defendant destroyed evidence … and went to great lengths to conceal her involvement.”

Despite the culmination of the protracted sentencing portion of Arias’ trial, her case is not yet over. It is now likely that Arias will appeal her murder conviction on the basis of alleged misconduct of prosecutor Juan Martinez.