Skip to main content

Transcript: Convicted murderer’s jail call

By WTOP Staff

The Associated Press

Seth Mazzaglia was convicted of raping and murdering Elizabeth “Lizzi’ Marriott and is set to be sentenced Thursday to life in prison. The following is a transcript of a jailhouse call between Mazzaglia and his mother, Heather Mazzaglia, from Aug. 6 and provided by the state. Seth Mazzaglia had asked a judge to excuse him from attending the sentencing but has withdrawn his request.

“Jacque” and “Melissa” are Joachim Barth and Melissa Davis, his lawyers.

___

Heather Mazzaglia: Have the lawyers come to visit you at all?

Seth Mazzaglia: Um, rarely because it’s a bit of a haul for them but they’re supposed to come visit me before the 14th. I’m gonna see.

HM: OK.

SM: If there’s any way I cannot attend the 14th.

HM: Either what?

SM: That I cannot go to the 14th. I already know what everyone’s gonna say there so why the hell do I have to be there? And it’s a waste of my time.

HM: Yeah, well it’s, it’s for them.

SM: Yeah, well I’m not feeling particularly gracious at the moment.

HM: I know.

SM: Heh. If I had been found innocent of the big stuff like I should have been, and like I am, now then it might be a different story. Then, then I might have some sympathy.

HM: Well.

SM: But.

HM: Yeah, all you can do is regret your part in it. And.

SM: Yeah, but I’m gonna have to sit there for an hour and a half listening to them yell and whine and bitch and moan and scream about how I’m a monster who killed someone when I’m not. That’s what I’m literally gonna have to listen to for the whole time.

HM: (Unintelligible)

SM: It isn’t gonna be like, oh, you took away our chance of burying her. It’s gonna be you’re a monster and that’s what it’s gonna be over and over and over again. Ah.

HM: So anyway. Anyway. I’m, I mean you can, they’re, they’re in misery. I mean they’re in agony, their, their daughter is lost. I would be the same if it were you but, you know, you have to sympathize with what they’ve lost and I, ask, um, ask Jacque and Melissa. I mean and the verdict took long. I don’t see why you, eh, it’s, you’re allowed to say that. I don’t know. I don’t know what they allow you to do.

SM: Well, my preference would be not to attend the sentencing hearing on the 14th. I can get an after action report that tells me everything I already know’s going to happen there.

HM: I think you have to be there to be sentenced so. I think they have a right to confront you because the jury found you guilty.

___

SOURCE: New Hampshire Judicial Branch.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote