Man pleads not guilty in wife’s death during Alaska cruise

A Utah man charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife on a cruise to Alaska pleaded not guilty during a Wednesday hearing in which he appeared to become emotional at times.

An attorney for Kenneth Manzanares entered the plea during an arraignment in a federal courtroom in Juneau, Alaska. The judge presided via a video link from Anchorage.

Manzanares, clad in a yellow prison uniform, dabbed his eyes as the indictment against him was read.

Prosecutors have not decided if they will seek the death penalty. A hearing on that issue is expected later this year.

Kenneth Manzanares, 39 (right), has pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge in the death of his wife Kristy, 39, (left)

Kristy Manzanares, 39, of St George, Utah, was killed on July 25 in a cabin on a Princess Cruises' ship while it was in U.S. waters off Alaska

Kristy Manzanares, 39, of St George, Utah, was killed on July 25 in a cabin on a Princess Cruises’ ship while it was in U.S. waters off Alaska

The couple and their three daughters (pictured), between the ages of 13 and 22, were on board the ship as part of a family vacation last month

The couple and their three daughters (pictured), between the ages of 13 and 22, were on board the ship as part of a family vacation last month

Manzanares was indicted by a grand jury last week in the death of his wife, Kristy Manzanares, a 39-year-old real estate agent.

She was found July 25 in a cabin on a Princess Cruises’ ship while it was in U.S. waters off Alaska with a severe head wound.

She was pronounced dead 20 minutes after security arrived to their cabin.  

The couple of 17 years was on a family vacation with their three daughters – aged between 13 and 22 – at the time of her death. 

The ship, which had left Seattle on July 23 for a seven-day round-trip cruise, later docked in Juneau for the investigation. 

Manzanares was indicted by a grand jury last week in the death of his wife, who was a 39-year-old real estate agent

Manzanares was indicted by a grand jury last week in the death of his wife, who was a 39-year-old real estate agent

Pictured above is a file photo showing the Emerald Princess cruise ship docked in Juneau, Alaska on July 26, after the woman was found dead

Pictured above is a file photo showing the Emerald Princess cruise ship docked in Juneau, Alaska on July 26, after the woman was found dead

A neighbor of the couple told The Associated Press last month they had booked the cruise to celebrate their anniversary. 

FBI Special Agent Michael Watson said in an affidavit that witnesses saw Manzanares with blood on his hands and clothing. 

One said Manzanares told him: ‘She would not stop laughing at me,’ according to the affidavit.

During an FBI search, Manzanares ‘spontaneously stated, ‘my life is over,” Watson said.  

READ THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST KENNETH MANZANARES

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk