Court restricts oral arguments in student killing case

CONCORD, N.H. – The New Hampshire Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments next month on the appeal of a man sentenced to life imprisonment in the 2012 death of a University of New Hampshire student — but lawyers will be restricted in how they discuss details.

Seth Mazzaglia (muh-ZAYL’-ee-uh) was convicted of killing 19-year-old Elizabeth “Lizzi” Marriott, of Westborough, Massachusetts. He argues the trial court should’ve allowed him to introduce evidence about Marriott’s past.

The Supreme Court decided last month details of Marriott’s sexual history should remain private; it allowed public arguments on his appeal. The court said Friday it expects lawyers “in good faith” to present them as is “reasonably equivalent” to details in a state-filed redacted brief.

Justice Robert Lynn disagreed, saying the court’s never before attempted to “choreograph” what’s said at public arguments.