Seth Mazzaglia Gets Life In Prison For Rape, Murder Of Lizzi Marriott

Seth Mazzaglia was sentenced to life in prison Thursday for the rape and murder of 19-year-old Elizabeth “Lizzi” Marriott. A judge handed down the maximum sentence for Mazzaglia, 31. Marriott was five weeks into her sophomore year at the University of New Hampshire when she disappeared on October 9, 2012.

Mazzaglia spoke briefly at the hearing, claiming he didn’t kill Marriott, though he helped dispose of her body. CBS News reports that the convicted killer told the court, “I did not rape and murder Elizabeth Marriott. However, I do understand the Marriott family’s pain and I did play a part in covering up her death.”

Despite claiming innocence in Lizzi Marriott’s death, Mazzaglia was convicted in June of first-degree murder and other charges. The key witness in the case was the 31-year-old’s ex-girlfriend, Kathryn McDonough, a coworker of Marriott’s at Target. She testified that she lured Marriott to the couple’s apartment as a sexual offering for her boyfriend.

McDonough testified in court that Mazzaglia strangled Marriott after she rejected his sexual advances. According to her testimony, the man then raped Marriott and shouted expletives. The pair then put Marriott’s body inside a suitcase and threw it into the Piscataqua River. It has never been recovered.

Lizzi Marriott’s family spoke during Seth Mazzaglia’s sentencing, expressing their hatred of him. The Boston Globe notes that Robert Marriott spoke to the 31-year-old while holding a photo of his daughter, saying, “All the goodness in Lizzi could not save her from you. When you killed her, you cemented your place on the side of evil.”

George Bentley, Marriott’s great-uncle, suggested that Mazzaglia kill himself, adding, “Rot in hell, you degenerate. A pathetic and inhumane being like you has no logical reason to remain on this earth.”

Lizzi’s mother, Melissa Marriott, told Mazzaglia, “I want you to know that I hate you unequivocally… You stole our smart, vivacious, beautiful daughter from us.” She added that, even after 22 months, she still can’t believe her daughter “is never coming home.”

Melissa added, “It’s all because of a cowardly 30-year-old man who could not deal with a confident young woman.”

Jurors deliberated for about eight hours in June before finding Mazzaglia guilty of murder by strangulation, as well as a second count of first-degree murder in connection with felonious sexual assault. Many of those jurors were present Thursday for the killer’s sentencing.

McDonough is serving 1 1/2 to 3 years in prison for hindering prosecution. She initially told prosecutors that Lizzi Marriott died while the two women engaged in consensual rough sex. However, when granted immunity from prosecution, McDonough admitted Seth Mazzaglia strangled Marriott.

[Image: The Huffington Post]