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.

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Latest Comments

wish something were done to stop this trend of offing your wife

Maybe not allowing the soldier to marry if he/she is going to a foreign country to fight a war. Many just up and marry because they are going away. Some don't know each other that long. The soldier should wait until he return home to marry his love. A true bride to be would waite also. What is the rush?

wildcat
November 5, 2009 4:40 p.m.

This is so sad. Just pray for the families. Another tragedy in America.

wildcat
November 5, 2009 4:32 p.m.

Justafella...It's nice to hear there some men tired of seeing women killed like this too. I wish something were done to stop this trend of offing your wife or your whole family for that matter. I pray my daughter never gets involved with a loser who thinks he can abuse her or take her life. It's pathetic.

NC Native11
November 5, 2009 11:58 a.m.

Glad to see that some proscutors are still using the death penalty, it is the only punishment that fits this sort of crime.

Lead by Example
November 5, 2009 10:32 a.m.

You can't judge the military based on the events we have had at Bragg recently. The vast, vast majority of troops are great, but you do have a few misfits. And in a military atmosphere, their kookiness gets amplified and they do stupid things. Plus the stress many face of knowing that thay will be redeployed must be maddening. I prefer a Commander in Chief who has seen the horrors of war. Draft dodgers and deserters are a lot more likely to entangle us needlessly.

Mr. Middle of the Road
November 5, 2009 10:18 a.m.