LEXINGTON, Ky.—A Lexington woman convicted in a high-profile murder in 1986 did not receive perfect legal advice during her trial, but her attorney did not commit any grievous errors, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled Feb. 21.

The high court upheld the conviction of Karen Brown, 43, who was convicted with two others in a plot to kill her lover’s husband for $60,000 in insurance money.

Justice Will T. Scott wrote for the court that Brown’s attorney, Julius Rather of Lexington, made a reasonable decision in not letting Brown testify in her own defense or at the sentencing phase. Brown faced a possible death sentence during the trial, but a jury opted for a sentence of life in prison.

Brown, her lesbian girlfriend, Elizabeth Turpin and their friend, Keith Bouchard, were accused of the February 1986 murder of 22-year-old Michael Turpin. Prosecutors said the three plotted Michael Turpin’s death for six months to collect $60,000 in insurance money.

Brown and Elizabeth Turpin, who was married to Michael Turpin, were convicted of murder. Bouchard pleaded guilty and testified against the women.