MENOMONIE, Wis. (Court TV) — A Wisconsin woman was sentenced to life in prison with a chance of supervised release after fifty years for the murder of her lover.

Ezra McCandless addresses the jury as she takes the stand in her own defense. (Court TV)

Ezra McCandless, 22, was convicted of murdering Alex Woodworth, 24, on March 22, 2018, in the town of Spring Brook, Wisconsin. McCandless said she acted in self-defense when she killed the victim, while prosecutors accused her of luring him to his death to rid herself of inner turmoil.

McCandless and the victim began their relationship in Nov. 2017, when McCandless was still involved in a relationship with another man, Jason Mengal. Months later, in Feb. 2018, Mengal left for military training.

Two weeks after Mengal left, he initiated a rape report to police after McCandless told him she was sexually assaulted by Mengal’s best friend, John Hansen. When she talked to the police, McCandless admitted that she slept with Woodworth during the two weeks as well. Woodworth told police during his interview that McCandless told him that she had willingly had sex with Hansen, but regretted it.

On March 22, McCandless showed up at a private home, covered in blood and mud and was taken to a local hospital. The next day, Woodworth’s body was found in the back seat of her car. She was charged with homicide on April 6.

McCandless initially pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect but later withdrew the plea.

DAILY TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 8 – 10/24/19

• Ezra McCandless’ ex-boyfriend, Jason Mengel, is cross-examined by defense attorney Deja Vishny.
  • WATCH: Defendant’s Ex-Boyfriend Says He ‘Never Stopped Loving Her’
• Alex Woodworth’s roommate, Matthew Schreiner, testifies about his friend and Woodworth’s relationship with McCandless.
  • WATCH: Exclusive Interview with Victim’s Roommate
• Woodworth’s friend, Kort Fox, testified about the victim’s kind nature.
• Mischelle Wright, a senior criminal analyst at the Wisconsin Crime Lab assembled communication by the defendant and created a timeline.
• Eau Claire police officer Ryan Prock testified about his role in the investigation and his interview with McCandless in connection with Hansen’s alleged assault.

DAY 7 – 10/23/19

• Ezra McCandless whimpers and cries in a videotaped interview with police and expresses regret for having gone to John Hansen’s house where she was allegedly sexually assaulted.
• McCandless’ ex-boyfriend, Jason Mengel, testified about their love and her betrayal.
  • Mengal said he was worried something bad would happen when McCandless and Woodworth met.
• The jury read McCandless’ journal entries the day before Woodworth’s death.

DAY 6 – 10/22/19

• Ezra McCandless’ adoptive father testifies, saying he gave the defendant a knife to put in her car.
  • WATCH: WI v. McCandless: Defendant’s Adoptive Father Testifies
• A DNA expert testifies that the handle of the knife recovered from the crime scene had a mix of DNA from the defendant and victim.
• Forensic imaging expert photographed the defendant’s clothes to determine whether cuts in the top layer of clothing aligned with cuts in underlying garments.

DAY 5 – 10/21/19

• Emergency room doctor testifies that Ezra McCandless’ injuries were self-inflicted.
  • WATCH: WI v. McCandless: Doctor Says Defendant’s Knife Wounds Were Self-Inflicted
  • McCandless’ defense countered that testimony with its own theory that the defendant’s wounds were the result of BDSM.
• The jury saw a video showing McCandless inside Racy’s just before she goes to the victim’s home.
• The jury saw a video of an officer displaying the victim’s bloody clothes.

DAY 4 – 10/18/19

• A nurse testifies that McCandless told her that she thought she had been raped, but was unable to recall details of the attack.
• A police officer testifies to catching the defendant in what appears to be a lie.
• Drone footage shown to the jury captures how remote the crime scene is.

DAY 3 – 10/17/19

• Witnesses testify about the defendant’s unusual behavior the day she killed Alex Woodworth.
• Dashcam video captures Woodworth and McCandless together hours before he is killed.
  • WATCH: WI v. McCandless: Police Dash Cam Footage Shown in Court
• McCandless’ ex-boyfriend, Jason Mengel, tells police that the defendant was not herself.

DAY 2 – 10/16/19

• Crime scene photos show a violent struggle inside the backseat of Ezra McCandless’ car.
• McCandless’ friends testify that she was conflicted about her boyfriend.
• Alex Woodworth’s friends testify about witnessing drama at Racy’s when McCandless’ boyfriend found out that she had been cheating.
  • WATCH: WI v. McCandless: Victim’s Friend Describes ‘Secret Relationship’
• Woodworth’s friends testify that he loved McCandless.

DAY 1 – 10/15/19

• Prosecutor Andrea Nodolf delivers an opening statement for the prosecution.
  • Nodolf says McCandless’ motive for murder was the defendant’s desire to “recapture [the] love of her boyfriend.”
  • Nodolf called it a “rage” killing, saying stab wounds pierced the victim’s brain, lung and scrotum.
  • WATCH: WI v. McCandless: Prosecution Opening Statement
• Defense attorney Aaron Nelson explained in his opening statement that McCandless feared for her life and was defending herself.
  • Nelson said that McCandless’ memory lapses about the confrontation with Woodworth are due to her PTSD.
  • WATCH: WI v. McCandless: Defense Opening Statement
• The medical examiner testified that the victim sustained 16 stab wounds, including penetrating wounds to his brain, lung and scrotum.