BRENTWOOD, N.H., Oct. 5 (UPI) -- A New Hampshire man pleaded guilty to manslaughter Wednesday for killing his wife after he found she had choked their two young children, killing one.
Christopher Smeltzer, 38, said he bludgeoned his wife Mara, 39, to death Nov. 7 because he thought she had killed both children by strangling them with a ribbon, the New Hampshire Union Leader in Manchester reported Wednesday. Mara reportedly suffered from psychotic episodes.
"When he got home their son was on [the] floor of [a] bedroom and their daughter [was] hanging off the bed," Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young said. "He said he lost it and hit his wife with [a] flashlight."
Smeltzer admitted he had snorted cocaine before he attacked his wife then took other pills he found in the couple's Auburn home in an effort to kill himself.
Four-year-old Mason died of his injuries but his sister Mercey, 7, survived and was taken to a local hospital.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 2 when prosecutors are expected to argue for a 15- to 30-year prison sentence. Defense lawyers are seeking seven to 20 years.
