(NewsNation) — Opening arguments concluded and testimony began in the trial of Adam Montgomery, accused of killing his five-year-old daughter Harmony, after his lawyers said they would make “concessions” to lesser charges.

During a call with the judge Wednesday, Montgomery’s legal team said they planned to acknowledge his guilt in regard to the lesser charges of abuse of a corpse and falsifying evidence. The trial strategy still requires the state to prove those charges but would mean lawyers could admit during arguments that Montgomery had committed those acts while still arguing that he did not kill Harmony.

Harmony vanished in 2019 but was not reported missing for two years. She had been in and out of the foster system and at various times lived with Montgomery or with her mother, Crystal Sorey.

Montgomery did not appear in court as opening arguments began with the prosecution laying out a gruesome account of case. They described Harmony’s last days as excruciatingly painful, arguing that Montgomery beat and punched his daughter, resulting in her death.

Montgomery is accused of moving Harmony’s body to various locations, including the ceiling of a shelter and a restaurant freezer, before buying a saw and lime to dismember and dispose of her body.

Montgomery’s attorneys are expected to make concessions to his actions moving Harmony’s body but claim that his now-estranged wife Kayla Montgomery is the one who actually killed Harmony.

Taking the stand, Sorey testified she lost custody of Harmony in 2014 due to a drug addiction. She told jurors she had last seen Harmony in April 2019 over a video, before Montgomery cut of all contact with her.

Kevin Montgomery, Adam Montgomery’s uncle, also testified Thursday. He recalled seeing Harmony with a black eye and when asked what happened, reported that Adam Montgomery said he “bashed her around the f—ing house.”

Harmony’s foster mother also appeared in court, testifying Harmony was an intelligent and happy child. She also noted Harmony was fully toilet-trained, something that is relevant because the prosecution is alleging that Montgomery beat Harmony to death for having an accident in the car.

While Montgomery is facing charges of second-degree murder, Harmony’s body has still not been found.