Father convicted in Montreal girl’s murder wanted to testify away from jury

Father Luciano Frattolin, accused of murdering his nine-year-old daughter Melina in Montreal, initially refused to testify in his own defense. However, with the jury removed from the courtroom, Frattolin expressed his desire to take the stand. On August 10, 2025, Frattolin was found guilty of second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse for the death of Melina in New York.

Melina's body was discovered the following day near Ticonderoga, approximately 400 kilometers north of New York City, with the autopsy revealing she had died from asphyxia due to drowning. Frattolin's phone and car location data played a crucial role in finding the body and establishing his guilt. During the trial, Frattolin claimed his daughter had been kidnapped by two men who drove away in a white van, suggesting Melina's mother might have orchestrated the kidnapping.

However, law enforcement dismissed this theory as "far-fetched." Frattolin's story changed upon learning of new evidence that contradicted his initial claims. The prosecution presented over two dozen witnesses over three weeks, with prosecutors arguing the evidence was circumstantial but overwhelmingly pointed to Frattolin as the perpetrator.

Despite objections, the judge allowed the jury to view a video of Melina playing with her hair and smiling, which the defense deemed inflammatory. The judge ultimately denied the defense's motions to dismiss the case.