New York trial of man accused of killing daughter enters fourth week

The fourth week of the trial for Luciano Frattolin, accused of killing his nine-year-old daughter Melina in New York, commenced on Friday. Frattolin stands accused of second-degree murder and concealing a human corpse in the death of his daughter, who tragically drowned. The 46-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to both charges and has been in custody without bail since his arrest in July 2025.

The prosecution concluded its presentation last week, delivering a comprehensive five-hour video that meticulously retraced the Frattolin's route leading up to the time Melina was reported missing. The defense introduced its first witness on Friday, though it remains uncertain whether Frattolin will testify himself. The body of the nine-year-old girl was discovered in a marsh in a rural New York area, and a post-mortem examination confirmed that drowning was the cause of her demise.