Daughter of Md. woman accused of killing, dismembering elderly mother testifies Wednesday

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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. (7News) -- Candace Craig, the Maryland woman accused of dismembering her mother in 2023, saw her daughter and alleged accomplice take the stand Wednesday as prosecutors unveiled more details about what likely led to the gruesome acts.

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

During the trial on Wednesday,Candace's daughter Salia Hardy began her testimony by describing the alleged murder and dismemberment of her grandmother Margaret. Hardy testified that she heard her grandmother, Margaret, scream. After that, she testified her mother, Candace told her she killed Margaret because the older woman found out her daughter was stealing from her bank account.

Hardy said the next day she found her grandmother dead in a blue bin with a trash bag over her head. The next day Hardy testified her mother told her they were going to cut up and burn the body.

The medical examiner also testified, explaining at times gruesome details of Margaret's remains. The medical expert stated that she ruled Margaret's cause of death a homicide by unknown means and means of death homicide. The defense attorney challenged the medical examiner as to whether or not the death could have been suicide.

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In a body camera video released in court Thursday, Candace reportedly told police that the chemicals found on the ground were from a spill made by Hardy.

Before Hardy's testimony, the courtroom heard call recordings from Margaret to her bank, frustrated over money seemingly taken from her account. County officials 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 on call recordings.

Prosecutors also played audio of what sounded like Candace posing as Margaret attempting to move money.

With the crime itself, police and prosecutors speculate that a chainsaw and other items were used to dismember Margaret before attempts were made to burn her body, placing the remains inside several bags. According to a state medical examiner Thursday, nine bags and several paint cans were received by the Chief Medical Examiner's office related to this case. Photos were shown in court, and 7News observed one person leaving the courtroom.

Margaret's nephew David Wilson, previously testified that he searched for "Aunty Joyce," only to find a large fire stain in the woods on May 29, 2023. Police would make their first wellness check on May 31, 2023.

ALSO READ |Court documents reveal gruesome details in killing, dismemberment of Maryland grandmother

A small knife, cutting utensils, cleaning materials, and a foul odor were all present in and around the basement when police performed a second wellness check on June 2, 2023, according to court documents.Prosecutors showed photo evidence of chainsaw boxes in court.