Accused Killer Of UNH Student Waives Arraignment

Police searched Peirce Island in Portsmouth for Marriott's body.

Credit Jonathan Lynch for NHPR

The New Hampshire man charged with killing a University of New Hampshire sophomore nearly a year ago has waived arraignment on new charges that he conspired to mislead investigators.

Thirty-year-old Seth Mazzaglia was charged last year with first-degree murder in the disappearance and death of Elizabeth "Lizzi" Marriott of Westborough, Mass.

Last month, he was indicted for conspiracy to hinder the prosecution and faced arraignment by video Thursday in Strafford Superior Court, but waived arraignment.

Prosecutors say Mazzaglia discussed framing and killing a witness in letters to his former girlfriend. They also say he sent fraudulent text messages to mask Marriott's whereabouts.

Prosecutors say Mazzaglia strangled Marriott after or during an attempted sexual assault and dumped her body off Peirce Island in Portsmouth. Her body hasn't been found.