Trial in the case of a Council Bluffs woman accused of fatally stabbing her ex-boyfriend began Tuesday and will continue Thursday, in Council Bluffs. Jodie Sherman is charged with 1st degree murder in connection with the July 4th, 2014 death of Douglas Richt, who authorities say was stabbed in the throat by Sherman after he picked her up in a car. Richt died while on the way to a hospital. The Daily NonPareil reports prosecutors spent the first day of Sherman’s first-degree murder trial admitting evidence and calling witnesses and law enforcement to the stand.

The prosecution, which consists of Pottawattamie County Attorney Matthew Wilber and Chief Deputy Attorney Jon Jacobmeier, called eight people to the stand. With Sherman’s defense team expected to push for not guilty by reason of insanity, the prosecution also made a point to try and prove that Sherman’s behavior was more about her love of peppermint schnapps than possible insanity.

The trial started with two witnesses, who live at a residence where Richt ended up after being stabbed, taking the stand. Both witnesses said they saw Sherman take a swing at Richt, get out of the car and walk down the street. They further testified that they saw Richt get out of the 1999 Saturn and walk to their porch, spilling blood along the way. A third witness, who lives nearby, told prosecutors that she saw a knife on the floorboard of Saturn.

Council Bluffs Police Department Officer Miranda Adams took the stand and discussed how she stopped Sherman after the altercation and transported her to the department’s criminal investigation division. Adams said that on July 4, 2014, Sherman made verbal threats, and also Sherman said Richt kidnapped her and that she was being held hostage. Adams further testified that Sherman was concerned about the FBI and people coming out of the police cruiser’s radio.

Jacobmeier and Wilber spent much of the day asking about Sherman’s drinking habits and whether or not she was intoxicated at the time of the alleged stabbing. Mark Elonich, a former Council Bluffs police detective, said Sherman was not given any sobriety tests on July 4th, while Sherman was at the police station. Although no tests were given, Elonich said he felt Sherman was under the influence of some type of prescription drug or alcohol.

The trial, which is slated to end on Friday, is being conducted without a jury. Fourth Judicial District Judge Kathleen Kilnoski will render the verdict from the bench. If Kilnoski does find Sherman guilty of first-degree murder, Sherman faces a sentence of life in prison without parole.