A 23-year-old Albert Lea woman pleaded not guilty in Freeborn County District Court this week to stabbing her boyfriend in the face with a steak knife.

Samantha Leah Freeman pleaded not guilty on Monday to one count of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of obstructing arrest tied to the May 30 incident.

She has been scheduled for a jury trial Nov. 8.

Court records indicate Freeman appeared out of custody on Monday after posting a non-cash bond on May 31, right after her first appearance on the charges.

Freeman was arrested May 30, following a reported altercation at 1208 St. Joseph Ave. Police found out about the alleged assault early that morning, after receiving a call from the emergency room at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. A man had a laceration on his left cheek and a bandaged arm.

Court documents state Freeman and the man had been experiencing tension lately because of his work schedule.

The couple had gone to a friend’s house prior to the incident and when they got home, the man reportedly locked himself in the bedroom because he anticipated problems.

According to the man, Freeman began to pound on the door. When he came out, she began punching him. He reportedly attempted to restrain her and protect himself and then left the house, court documents state.

After waiting about 10 minutes, he returned to the house and then went into the bedroom. He reportedly heard Freeman attack the bedroom door again and decided to leave for the evening.

However, as he was on his way out, Freeman reportedly attacked him again — stabbing him in the face and arm, according to the documents.

Freeman was arrested at the residence on St. Joseph Avenue and tested a .222 on a preliminary breath test.

Police found many blood stains in the house, a chair tipped over and a smashed glass table. A wet steak knife was found in the sink, according to court documents.