Alaska Cruise Ship Killing: Utah Man Pleads Not Guilty To Killing Wife

JUNEAU, AK — A Utah man pleaded not guilty to killing his wife on an Alaskan cruise ship, allegedly because she wouldn't stop laughing at him.

Kenneth Manzanares is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Kristy Manzanares. An attorney for Kenneth Manzanares entered the plea on Wednesday. He dabbed his eyes as the indictment against him was read in federal court in Juneau, Alaska.

The judge presided via a video link from Anchorage. Manzanares was clad in a yellow prison uniform as the indictment against him was read.

Prosecutors have not decided whether to seek the death penalty. A hearing on that issue is expected later this year. (For more information on the slaying of Kristy Manzanares and other Alaska stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Kristy Manzanares was found July 25 in a cabin on a Princess Cruises' ship while it was in U.S. waters off of Alaska. The ship left Seattle on July 23 for a scheduled seven-day roundtrip cruise and later docked in Juneau for the investigation.

Witnesses saw Manzanares with blood on his hands and clothing, FBI Special Agent Michael Watson said in an affidavit. One said Manzanares told him: "She would not stop laughing at me."

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

During an FBI search, Manzanares "spontaneously stated, 'my life is over,'" Watson said.

Kristy Manzanares, a real estate agent was remembered by her employer as a trusted adviser and valued sales associate.

"Kristy was a dedicated and loving mother who juggled her business schedule to make her children the top priority," the statement from Summit Sotheby's International Realty in St. George, Utah, said.

By BECKY BOHRER , Associated Press

Photo credit: Becky Bohrer/Associated Press