Back in May of 2023, a Maryland woman and her mother executed a gruesome scheme to take the life of their own elderly relative. However, one of the suspects is now ordered to be released from jail despite the grisly nature of the crime.
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Salia Hardy, 21, was convicted in her role following the murder of her own grandmother, 71-year-old Margaret Craig, in May of 2023. Weeks ago, the murder trial revealed Hardy helped cover up the incident under the direction of her mother, 46-year-old Candace Craig, who was Margaret’s caregiver. Wednesday, Hardy pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact. However, she told the court she only followed her mother’s direction in fear of what would happen to her mother if she got in trouble, per The Washington Post.
Hardy’s defense attorney, Leslie Peek, argued her client had an “excellent” relationship with Ms. Margaret. Additionally, it was revealed in Wednesday’s hearing that Hardy had learning disabilities that made her more susceptible to coercion, The Post reports.
With those pieces of information considered, Prince George’s County Circuit Court Judge Karen Mason ordered Hardy be released from jail. Mason said the 500 days she spent behind bars awaiting prosecution was “punishment enough.” The report says Hardy is to have special probation conditions including psychological evaluations, drug testing and also supervision for five years. She’ll be under the care of her grandfather and also have the aid of a life coach.
Prosecutors say Craig came up with a scheme to kill Ms. Margaret after the woman threatened to report Craig to the police for fraudulent credit card charges. After the killing, Craig dismembered her mother with a chainsaw and attempted to burn the body parts on the grill in their backyard, per WTOP News. To help her cover up the crime, Craig pulled Hardy as her accomplice.
Before authorities knew what really happened, Ms. Margaret was considered a missing person. However, during the investigation, Assistant State’s Attorney Julia Hall told jurors Craig appeared indifferent about her mother’s disappearance, accusing her of only taking advantage of her instead of taking care of her, WTOP’s report says. Only weeks after the murder did police discover the trash bags containing Ms. Margaret’s remains.
Craig was found guilty of murder, tampering with evidence and improperly disposing of her mother’s body. As for her daughter, Hardy, the court let her go. Hopefully, the legacy of Margaret Craig’s life can be more than how it came to a tragic end.
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