Trial postponed for Montreal man accused of murdering daughter, 9, in New York state

Police alleged Luciano Frattolin fabricated a story behind the disappearance of his daughter, Melina Frattolin. (Source: NYSP)

The trial has been postponed for the Montreal man accused of murdering his nine-year-old daughter in New York state last year and concealing her remains.

Luciano Frattolin, 45, was set to begin his jury trial on April 20 on charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse.

However, during a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday, the judge set a new trial date for July 20. The reason for the delay has not been released by the court.

Frattolin’s daughter, Melina, was the subject of an Amber Alert last July after her father reported her missing. Her body was found in a shallow pond near Ticonderoga, N.Y., roughly 200 kilometres south of Montreal. An autopsy determined she died of asphyxia due to drowning in what police say was a homicide.

Frattolin, a Montreal businessman, maintains his innocence and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The new trial date falls on the one-year anniversary of the day Melina’s body was found.

No decision on request to toss out evidence

The judge has still not yet ruled on whether or not to dismiss certain evidence from being presented at the trial.

• READ MORE: Montreal dad accused of killing daughter, 9, wants evidence thrown out before trial

In a motion filed in court last November, Frattolin asked the court to toss out evidence obtained from a search of his cellphone as well as statements he made to two New York State police troopers during a two-hour car ride in the middle of the night while searching for his daughter.

A hearing on the motion was held last February.

Frattolin reported his daughter missing on their way home to Montreal from a weeklong road trip in New York, but as police investigated the case into the late-night hours, they alleged he fabricated his story and was responsible for her death.