TORONTO - The murder trial of a Toronto mother accused of killing her severely disabled daughter is hearing from the dead girl's sister today.

Amanda Ali says that despite the disabilities, her 16-year-old sister was considered a blessing, not a burden on the family.

Their mother, Cindy Ali, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of her youngest child, who had cerebral palsy and couldn't walk, talk or feed herself.

Amanda, who was 21 years old when her sister died, says their mother was the primary caregiver of Cynara, who known to have seizures and lung infections. But she says the family was a normal and happy one.

Cynara died in a Toronto hospital in February 2011, two days after emergency personnel responding to a 911 call about a home invasion found her without vital signs.

Crown prosecutors have argued Ali murdered Cynara by smothering her with a pillow and then spun an elaborate web of lies about a home invasion to cover up the crime.