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Defense Rests In UNH Student Murder Trial

DOVER, N.H. (CBS/AP) — The defense has rested in the trial of the 31-year-old New Hampshire man charged with raping and killing a University of New Hampshire student.

Seth Mazzaglia's lawyers put on their last witness just before noon Tuesday, the 19th day of testimony.

Mazzaglia is charged with first-degree murder in the October 2012 death of 19-year-old Elizabeth "Lizzi" Marriott of Westborough, Massachusetts.

During testimony Monday, a private investigator said Mazzaglia's then-girlfriend, 20-year-old Kathryn McDonough, told her Marriott died when the two women were engaged in consensual rough sex. Defense lawyers unsuccessfully sought a mistrial on Tuesday, saying prosecutors maligned the private investigator's motives.

McDonough has since testified that Mazzaglia choked Marriott after she rejected his sexual advances. She's serving 1 ½ to 3 years in prison for hindering prosecution.

Closing statements are set for Wednesday.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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