The man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and then driving around the city with her body in his car pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges in a Calgary court on Wednesday.

Lacey Jones-McKnight was found dead in a vehicle, belonging to her ex-boyfriend, along Country Hills Blvd in October of 2012.

Kristopher Guenther is charged with first-degree murder in her death and has been in custody ever since he was arrested.

On Wednesday, Guether’s trial began in a Calgary courtroom.

The Crown says the couple had a turbulent relationship and that Guenther had recently moved out of the home they shared when Lacey was killed.

The prosecution claims Guenther bound, gagged and strangled Jones-McKnight and then drove her to Desperados, the downtown bar where she worked.

They say he then drove to Lacey’s mother’s home where he confessed to the murder and asked her to kill him.

Prosecutors say Guenther then tried to hang himself from a bridge and was pulled to safety by emergency responders.

Lacey’s mother Shelly was not allowed in the courtroom on Wednesday because she is set to testify next week but says she has no problem facing her daughter’s accused killer in court.

“A lot of people love Lacey. Anybody who knew her absolutely adored her,’ said Jones. “He’s the coward and I’m there to speak for Lacey. I’m there to be Lacey’s voice.”

She says she just wants the trial to be over so all the facts in the case can be known.

“I’ve not been able to openly discuss the details of Lacey’s case because of the trial so I’ve really had to suppress a lot of information and kind of carry that burden until I can testify and until the trial is over and I think I’ve said from day one that once all of the details are out, perhaps the rest of the city, the rest of the citizens in this city, will be as outraged as we all are.”

Jones has been vocal since Lacey’s death about police protocol in domestic cases and a lack of resources for those going through abusive relationships.

“I’ve done a lot of research about domestic violence, about the agencies and the help that is not there for domestic violence victims, about police protocol, um, pretty disappointed in all of it to say the least,” said Jones.

The trial is expected to last about five weeks and crime scene investigators will continue on the stand on Thursday.