The woman at the centre of a murder case that riveted many Americans with its details of sex and violence made a plea for life in prison today instead of execution, saying she can contribute to society if allowed to live.

A woman whose murder trial for the gruesome killing of her one-time boyfriend captured world headlines has said she prefers the death penalty over life in prison.

A US woman has been convicted of first-degree murder in the gruesome killing of her one-time boyfriend after a four-month trial that captured headlines with lurid tales of sex, lies, religion and a salacious relationship that ended in a bloodbath.