The trial for the man accused of killing a University of New Hampshire student is set to begin.
Jurors were sworn in Tuesday for Seth Mazzaglia’s trial, and opening statements are set for Wednesday.
The 31-year-old from Dover, New Hampshire is charged with first- and second-degree murder in the death of Lizzi Marriott.
Authorities said Mazzaglia strangled the University of New Hampshire sophomore on Oct. 9, 2012, at the Dover apartment he shared with his then-girlfriend, Kathryn McDonough. McDonough was accused of lying to investigators about Marriott’s disappearance and is serving a 1 1/2 -3 year prison sentence.
Prospective jurors were warned at the start of jury selection in Strafford County Superior Court last week they were likely to hear graphic testimony about sex acts.
Prosecutors said Mazzaglia and McDonough dumped Marriott’s body into the Piscataqua River off Portsmouth’s Peirce Island. It was not found.
Mazzaglia has pleaded not guilty.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.