CADIZ, Ohio  After months of investigation, the trial against a Harrison County Juvenile Court clerk began Thursday.

Cathy rose was accused of stealing money while working in the court’s office. She was charged with theft in office and tampering with evidence.

During the first day of the trial, the court seated a jury, the defense and prosecution made opening arguments, and Special Prosecutor Chris Berhalter started calling witnesses. Testimony from the first two witnesses focused on reports from the State’s Auditors Office.

“You will learn from the evidence that this defendant called (a woman) at home and said the judge has agreed to reduce that filing fee to a hundred dollars,” said Berhalter. “You will learn this woman brought in the hundred dollars, was given a written receipt and those funds were never deposited.”

Rose, a former employee, was accused of stealing money from Harrison County Juvenile Courts. She allegedly came up with an elaborate way to swipe money. Authorities said the money registered as being paid in the computer system didn't match up with written receipts.

The defense said there's no direct evidence linking Rose to an alleged crime. Rose’s attorney, Francesca Carinci, said other employees had access to the stolen money.

“No one is going to tell you that they saw her take anything,” said Carinci.  “I wonder if one of the other people that is going through the bags may end up with it because they didn't search them. They only searched one person.  Maybe they should have searched all the other people who had their hands in the money bags.”