Closing arguments underway in N.C. mom's murder trial

RALEIGH, N.C. - Closing arguments are underway in the murder trial of Amanda Hayes, a North Carolina woman accused of killing the mother of her husband’s two young sons nearly three years ago.

The 41-year-old Hayes is charged with first-degree murder and accessory after the fact in the July 13, 2011 death of 27-year-old Laura Ackerson.

Hayes’ trial spanned 13 days in which 49 witnesses were called to testify, reports CBS affiliate WRAL.

Hayes maintains her husband, Grant Hayes, killed Ackerson and she only participated in the cover-up.

She testified last week that her husband threatened her if she didn’t help him get rid of the body and that she only conceded because she was scared of what he might do to her, his sons and her daughters, according to the station.

Prosecutors have argued against Amanda Hayes’ story, saying she was resentful of Ackerson because of a child custody dispute between Ackerson and Grant Hayes.

They point to an alleged admission of guilt to her sister and conversations Amanda Hayes had with a jail inmate after her July 2011 arrest in an attempt to refute her claims that she was scared of her husband and had been trying to get away from him, reports the station.

That former inmate, Patricia Barakat, testified Friday that Amanda Hayes told her she was home at a Raleigh apartment she shared with her husband when Ackerson tripped on a rug and died, according to the station.

Barakat testified Amanda Hayes was sarcastic and would smile when she talked about Ackerson's death and about how she couldn't be convicted if it were an accident.

Barakat also reportedly testified that Amanda Hayes spoke often about her love for Grant Hayes but never mentioned being scared of him.

A jury found Grant Hayes guilty of first-degree murder in September 2013. He has maintained that his wife accidentally killed Ackerson during an argument and that the only thing he did wrong was help with the cover-up because he loved her and wanted to protect her.

Jurors in Amanda Hayes' trial will potentially deliberate six verdicts.

On the charge of murder, they can consider guilty verdicts of first-degree murder or second-degree murder, as well as not guilty.

If she is found not guilty of murder, the jury must then consider accessory after the fact to murder in both the first-degree and second-degree or not guilty.