Father accused of killing 9-year-old weighs testifying at New York trial

Luciano Frattoman, a 45-year-old Canadian coffee business owner, is on trial in Essex County Court for the alleged murder of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina, whose body was reportedly dumped near Ticonderoga in the Adirondacks last summer. After prosecutors concluded their case on Friday, Frattolin addressed Judge Tatiana Coffinger, reiterating his claim that Melina was abducted at a rest-area stop and asserting his innocence.

He indicated he will use the weekend to decide whether to testify, a step that would open him to rigorous cross-examination by prosecutors. The judge advised him to fully consult his public-defender team before proceeding. Melina’s mother, Kali Galanis, had full custody, and Frattolin had been allowed to accompany the child on a multi-day trip from Montreal to New York before the alleged killing. The trial has featured testimony from more than a dozen law-enforcement officials, experts, and extensive video footage.