Plymouth County woman sentenced to prison for murdering husband

PLYMOUTH – A Marshfield woman has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years for stabbing her husband, Michael Ricci, Sr. to death, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz has announced.

On August 2nd, 49-year-old Christine Ricci was found guilty by a Plymouth County jury of Murder in the Second Degree, and Assault and Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon. 

On Thursday, Plymouth Superior Court Judge Diane Freniere sentenced Ricci to serve Life in Prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years. Ricci was sentenced to serve not more than six, and not less than six years and a day in prison on the Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon charge which must be served before the life in prison sentence. The Commonwealth recommended Ricci serve Life in Prison with the possibility of parole eligibility after 25 years. The Commonwealth recommended Ricci serve a consecutive sentence of 8-10 years on the Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon charge.

At approximately 4:45 p.m. on January 28, 2021, Marshfield Police received a 911 call for a report of a medical emergency at a home located on Moraine Street. Police and emergency medical personnel responded and performed lifesaving measures before transporting the male victim to South Shore Hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 5:30 p.m. The victim was identified as 51-year-old Michael Ricci. Emergency room personnel reported that Michael Ricci had two stab wounds, one in the front left chest and another in the upper left back shoulder. 

Marshfield Police contacted Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and began the investigation. As a result of the investigation, detectives determined that the Riccis had a verbal altercation prior to the incident, and Christine Ricci retrieved a knife and stabbed Michael Ricci in the heart and in his back. Emergency personnel located a knife at the foot of the victim when they responded to the home. 

“Michael Ricci, Sr. was an Army veteran and proud member of the Boston Fire Department,” DA Cruz said. “His most cherished role, however, was being a caring father, son, sibling and friend to many. My thoughts today are with the Ricci family who have been torn apart by this tragic and senseless murder.” 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jeremy Beth Kusmin, Shanan Buckingham, and Jason Herron, and was investigated by State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and Marshfield Police.