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Witness Says She Lied To Protect Mazzaglia After UNH Student's Death

DOVER, NH (CBS) - Kat McDonough is close to wrapping up on the witness stand but she's not done yet after more than a week of grueling testimony.

Seth Mazzaglia's defense team is trying to pin Lizzi Marriott's death and cover-up of the crime on McDonough, his girlfriend at the time.

"You have no appreciation for Ms. Marriott's life," said defense attorney Joachim Barth.

"I don't see how you can say that," responded McDonough. "You don't know me."

The defense points to a video of one of McDonough's early statements as proof that she was responsible for Marriott's death. McDonough said Marriott was a willing participant in a sex act with the couple and stopped breathing when McDonough sat on her.

But McDonough says those initial statements were all lies to protect Mazzaglia. She has testified at the trial that Marriott never agreed to any sexual activity, and that Mazzaglia strangled Marriott when she refused.

"This is just the beginning where I've been able to open up and actually explain what really happened to her," said McDonough.

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