****CONTENT WARNING: The following contains details that may be disturbing to some readers. Common sense is advised. ****

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD. (7News) — The trial of Candance Craig, the Maryland woman accused of killing and dismembering her elderly mother’s body, ended today with the defense and prosecution presenting closing arguments.

Candace Craig is on trial in Prince George’s County after being accused of murdering her mother, Margaret Craig, on May 23, 2023, over an argument about credit card fraud. Candace’s daughter, Salia Hardy, was accused of helping Candace cover up the crime and was subsequently arrested on a related charge.

PREVIOUS NEWS | The daughter of the woman accused of killing and dismembering the elderly mother testified

Coleman reminded the jury of evidence showing Candace Craig stole her mother Margaret’s pension and Social Security income. He said Margaret learned of the theft and worked with her bank to protect her money.

Allegedly, Margaret Craig confronted her daughter and that’s why the murder was committed.

Before Hardy’s testimony, the courtroom heard recordings of Margaret’s calls to her bank; He was apparently disappointed by the money taken from her account. County authorities initially accused Candace of committing the crime after Margaret threatened to tell authorities about Candace’s actions.

“I don’t have money to pay my bills,” Margaret said in the interview recording.

Prosecutors also played audio from Candace that suggested Margaret was trying to carry money.

According to the prosecution, this also explains the dismemberment.

Lawyers allege Candace Craig tried to conceal her mother’s death by dismembering her mother to keep her Social Security and retirement benefits.

Police and prosecutors speculate that a chainsaw and other items were used to dismember Margaret’s body before an attempt was made to burn her, and the remains were placed in several bags. Nine bags and several paint cans were turned over to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in connection with that case, a state medical examiner announced Thursday. The photos were shown in court and 7News observed a person leaving the courtroom.

The prosecution concluded its closing arguments by asking the jury to find Candace Craig guilty on all counts.

PREVIOUS NEWS |Daughter of accomplice in grandmother’s murder tells more gruesome details at trial

In the defense’s closing statement, Candace Craig’s lawyers said that although they did not object to the dismemberment charge, Craig was not guilty of first-degree murder.

The defense argues that “we have no idea how Margaret Craig died.”

This idea was expanded upon with a PowerPoint titled “Reasonable Doubt.”

The defense attorney brought up Candace Craig’s live-in boyfriend, Bennie. Bennie was described as a drug dealer, the defense asked how he knew nothing about a murder that allegedly took place in the small house where he lived.

This is an evolving story. Stay with 7News for the latest updates.