Prosecutors seek death for soldier accused in wife's stabbing death

Fayetteville, N.C. — Cumberland County prosecutors will seek the death penalty for a two soldiers accused in the stabbing death of a third, Assistant District Attorney Cal Colyer said Wednesday.

Sgt. Richard Smith, 26, of Denton, Texas, and Pfc. Matthew Kvapil, 19, of Santee, Calif., conspired to kill Smith's wife, Sgt. Christina E. Smith, 29, in September 2008, prosecutors said.

Both men face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Richard Smith also faces charges of solicitation to commit murder.

The Smiths and Kvapil were assigned to the 4th Psychological Operations Group at Fort Bragg.

Kvapil told investigators that he dressed in black and hid in bushes while the Smiths walked near their Fayetteville home. When the pair passed his hiding spot, he jumped out and stabbed Christina Smith to death, he said.

Christina Smith was stabbed twice in the back, once in the neck and once in the left arm, according to the report from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Kvapil told authorities that Richard Smith had propositioned him at least twice about killing Christina Smith, eventually offering him $30,000 to carry out the deed.

Richard Smith admitted that he'd mentioned having his wife killed, but insisted it was only in fun.