Crime

Marshfield woman pleads not guilty to killing her husband

By Associated Press

May 12, 2021

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BROCKTON, Mass. (AP) — Her husband’s extramarital affair and mental health issues led a Massachusetts woman to fatally stab her husband in January, prosecutors said in court Tuesday.

Christine Ricci, 46, was held without bail after pleading not guilty at her Plymouth Superior Court arraignment to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, The Patriot Ledger reported.

Police responded to the Ricci home in Marshfield on Jan. 28 after their 16-year-old child called 911, the prosecutor said. Her husband, Michael Ricci, had been stabbed in the heart and on the back of his left shoulder, prosecutor Shana Buckingham said.

Christine Ricci told investigators her husband had come in after shoveling snow when an argument ensued and he pushed her. She said she grabbed a knife to scare him away. He then lunged at her and the knife plunged into his chest, she told police, according to Buckingham.

There was no evidence to suggest her husband came after her, the prosecutor said.

Christine Ricci’s attorney questioned the prosecutor’s account.

“We have factual disputes about the context in which this occurred,” Joshua Wood said. “There were mental health issues on both sides.”

Michael Ricci was a Boston firefighter and Army veteran.