Crime & Safety

Former Salem Man Sentenced to 15 to 30 Years

Christopher Smeltzer said he "lost his marbles" in 2010.

Christopher Smeltzer, 38, formerly of Salem, has been sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison in connection with the beating death of his wife in Auburn last year, according to WMUR.

The news station reported that the judge went with the maximum sentence for Smeltzer, who made an emotional statement in court Friday saying he used cocaine before killing his wife, Mara Pappalardo.

Pappalardo had strangled their son and daughter, killing the son, when Smeltzer came home and "lost his marbles" WMUR reported.

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