ELIZABETHTOWN, N.Y. (WCAX) – A Montreal man was found guilty on Monday of killing his 9-year-old daughter while on vacation in the Adirondacks last summer.
It is the end of a yearlong investigation and more than two-week trial into the murder of Melina Frattolin, who a jury said was killed by her father, Luciano Frattolin.
Luciano Frattolin was found guilty of second-degree murder and concealment of a corpse.
Despite claims by the defense that there was a lack of physical evidence in the trial, District Attorney Michael Langey said it was critical cellphone and car data that he believes secured a conviction by the jury in just over an hour.
“We had every minute. I think every second there was data in this case, so we could tell exactly where his vehicle was during the entire trip and that was huge,” Langey said.
Frattolin denies being in Ticonderoga that night. Through the trial, Frattolin’s team maintained that his claim to police was true, that Melina was kidnapped. The prosecution said they looked into the kidnapping claim, but it was their investigation into Frattolin that led to Melina’s body, which was found near a pond in Ticonderoga with a rock on top of it.
Langey also referenced notes Frattolin had written that mentioned ending the madness and making a decision about Melina, who he claimed was mentally ill.
Frattolin has 30 days to appeal his conviction. His sentencing is in October, at which time he could face a minimum of 15 years to life.
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