Molly Martel Sentenced to 20 to 40 Years

Convicted murderer Molly Martel was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison today in connection with the death of her friend, Stephanie Campbell, in 2010.

The prosecution asked for 30 years to life, while Martel's defense team countered with 17 1/2 to 35 or 17 1/2 to life. In court, Martel apologized to Campbell's family, saying she didn't intend for any of this to happen, and if she could change it, she would.

Martel, a former Merrimack High School softball standout, was found guilty by a jury on Nov. 16 on two counts of second degree murder for knowingly and recklessly causing Campbell's death. She was charged with second degree murder after Campbell, a young mother of three from Manchester, bled to death following an argument with Martel outside of Campbell's Dutton Street apartment in Manchester on Nov. 2, 2010. Martel used a small folding knife during the fight in which Campbell was reportedly unarmed.

Merrimack Patch will have much more on this story later today.