Crime & Safety
In Jailhouse Call, Witness Proposes Marrying Accused Murderer
Seth Mazzaglia in recorded phone call: "It's scary how on the same wavelength we get sometimes. I like it. It's nice. It's nice to know we think alike."
The state's key witness in the trial of the man accused of murdering Elizabeth "Lizzi" Marriott broached the idea of marrying him during a jailhouse phone call in which the two professed their love for one another "always and forever."
"I'm glad you approached me with that," Seth Mazzaglia said to Kathryn McDonough, when she told him she had researched online how they could marry. The phone call was played for jurors June 10 at Strafford County Superior Court in Dover, N.H.
Mazzaglia replied that he wished there could be more "pomp and circumstance," but said there would be time for that after they got "through this."
"Cool," he says on the call, with a chuckle. "It's scary how on the same wavelength we get sometimes. I like it. It's nice. It's nice to know we think alike, even with our variances, but the variances are what makes it fun."
The call was played as defense attorney Joachim Barth continued cross-examination of McDonough, who previously testified that she saw Mazzaglia rape and murder Marriott on Oct. 9, 2012.
The defense has claimed that McDonough was responsible for her death, which occurred during a sex act that involved ropes. The two later dumped Marriott's body into the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth, according to court documents. Her body has never been found.
Barth on June 10 continued questioning McDonough's credibility as a witness, and he referenced evidence that McDonough told another witness that she would not have to testify against Mazzaglia if they were married.
The jailhouse call included the two speaking about establishing joint bank accounts, and McDonough continuing to research getting married.
"I love you," McDonough says as they concluded the call. "Always and forever."
"I love you, too," Mazzaglia said. "Always and forever."
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