Defence lawyers for the accused began making their case Friday at Saskatoon’s Court of Queen’s Bench, wrapping up the first week of Frances Sugar’s murder trial.

Sugar, 53, stands accused of second-degree murder in the death of her daughter, 34-year-old Lindey Sugar. Prosecutors say Lindey Sugar died after an argument with her mother in June of 2014.

According to police, Lindey was killed after an altercation outside of a vehicle at Clarence Avenue South and Victor Road, about 10 kilometres south of the city. She suffered a neck injury and was later pronounced dead in hospital.

Two RCMP officers involved in Frances Sugar’s arrest were called to the stand Friday to testify for the defence.

Both told court that Sugar appeared intoxicated. They said they had trouble keeping her attention and that she was wobbly on her feet. One of the officers said it was difficult to get coherent answers from her at times, but cross examination from the Crown revealed that at least some of her answers were understandable.

Defence lawyers played a recording from the morning after the arrest, taken the moment police informed her that her daughter was dead. On the recording, Frances can be heard wailing, crying and repeatedly saying, “No, no.”

On Thursday, Crown prosecutors also showed court an interrogation video of Frances Sugar. Frances was seen telling the interrogating officer that she was in shock and that she had been scared to death of Lindey the night of the alleged incident.

Court heard that Frances had a blood alcohol level of 2.30 the night of her arrest.

Jurors were told that a Swiss army-style knife and nearly empty vodka bottle were found at the scene. They were found to have blood and DNA from Lindey on them, but no fingerprints were found on either the knife or the bottle.

Jurors also heard from the forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy on Lindey after her death. The pathologist told court that Lindey suffered several knife injuries, and that a single 9.5-centimetre-long stab wound to her neck was sufficient to kill her. Lindey’s blood alcohol level was found to be 1.60.

Earlier in the week, court heard from Crown witness Dennis Kissling, a man who says he was with the pair the night of the killing.

Kissling told court he was with Lindey, Frances and Frances’ boyfriend when an argument broke out. He said the mother and daughter were arguing about profits from the sale of Ritalin on the street, and that the argument turned to allegations of past abuse Lindey suffered at the hands of her mother.

A brief struggle ensued before Kissling saw what looked like stabbing motions and a silver object, he testified.

Court also heard from the arresting officer, who said Frances surrendered peacefully on the side of the road, south of Saskatoon, the night of the incident. He said Frances had lots of dried blood on her hands and some on her face, but the defence showed pictures of Frances taken after her arrest and argued the photos show much less blood as well as swelling under her eye.

The defence is expected to call more witnesses next week.