DURHAM, N.C. — Prosecutors have painted Michael Sullivan as the triggerman in the murder of 89-year-old Lois Cannady. On Friday, he told jurors he used to smoke pot, carry a pistol and belong to a gang, but he insisted the prosecution's theory is way off-base.

Sullivan sat confidently in the witness stand, often looking jurors straight in the eye as Cannady's family members listened intently.

The prosecution claims Sullivan shot Cannady with an SKS assault rifle after breaking into her home. Sullivan admitted he spent the day with four other suspects, but he told jurors he was nowhere near Cannady's house that night, but at a woman's house.

Jurors also heard from Sullivan's mother. Melina Armstrong was with her son when detectives questioned him. She read her son's response from the interview transcripts with detectives.

"I am telling the truth. It's all I really know. I don't know nothing about no lady," she read.

Sullivan's mother said she was going to church Friday to pray for her son. Cannady's family said they would spend the weekend praying as well. Closing arguments start Monday.