As Jodi Arias faces the start of her penalty phase retrial, friends say that the infamous boyfriend killer is "scared" that she will receive a death sentence.

Arias was convicted of the first-degree murder of her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander in May 2013. According to medical examiners, Arias stabbed him 27 times, primarily in the back, torso and heart in his Phoenix home in 2008. She also slit Alexander's throat from ear to ear, nearly decapitating him, and shot him in the face before she dragged his bloodied corpse to the shower.

Although the aspiring photographer was found guilty in the case, the jurors failed to reach a unanimous decision on her sentencing. As a result, she began a retrial on Monday to determine whether she should be sentenced to death, life in prison or life with a chance of release after serving 25 years.

However, Donavan Bering, a friend of Arias, says "she's very scared" reports CNN. "Things changed for her. She came to the realization that she didn't want the death penalty. She wants to be able to see her mom and her family."

On Monday, Arias' legal reps started the jury selection process by serving 300 potential jurors with a questionnaire about their beliefs and availability. Based on their answers, the lawyers will decide who will come back for a second phase of questioning on Oct. 6.

The jury selection is expected to take about three weeks, while the actual trial may last from six to eight weeks, reports USA Today.

Last week, a judge has ruled against a motion to allow less restrictive video coverage in the convicted killer's sentencing trial.

Unlike Arias' first trial, which was a media circus, media coverage will be strictly limited in her death penalty trial. Maricopa County Court Judge Sherry Stephens has prohibited live video broadcasting from the new trial and restricted video of the proceedings from public access until after the retrial is over.

Following the restrictions, an attorney representing local television stations filed a motion earlier this month seeking to allow limited TV coverage to be aired 30 minutes after court ends.

However, after considering the motion, Judge Stephen released a ruling stating that video will only be allowed after the verdict, reports KTAR News.

"The Court is mindful of its obligation to allow public and media access to the trial. That access should not include live broadcast of the trial prior to a verdict for the reasons addressed in previous sealed proceedings," reads court documents from the ruling.

According to the ruling, only one camera, photographs and live tweeting will be allowed inside the courtroom.