NY - Melina Frattolin, 9, Abducted, seen 9:40pm in a white van traveling south on I-87 near exit 22, Lake George, 19 Jul 2025 *arrest*

[Sunshine99]

Luciano Frattolin, the suspected murderer is Ethiopian. His mother is Ethiopian and he was born and raised in Ethiopia. In Africa, a person can get a reduced or suspended sentence if they make a payment to the victims, even for murder if the victim agrees! The payment is usually in the form of livestock and/or money. A completely different justice system.

 

[AngTxGal]

one can hope

The conditions for 1st Degree in NY do not apply to this case
The punishment for 2nd Degree in NY can be Life in prison without parole

So- the charge isn’t likely the reason for Grand Jury
It is likely an Investigative Grand Jury

IMO

 

[wintry]

Luciano Frattolin, the suspected murderer is Ethiopian. His mother is Ethiopian and he was born and raised in Ethiopia. In Africa, a person can get a reduced or suspended sentence if they make a payment to the victims, even for murder if the victim agrees! The payment is usually in the form of livestock and/or money. A completely different justice system.

This is not really widespread however. Africa is a continent not a singular country. Diya can be practiced in Muslim-majority countries/communities. And rural communities will also sometimes practice it, usually to avoid clan warfare.

 

[Inthedetails]

This is not really widespread however. Africa is a continent not a singular country. Dita can be practiced in Muslim-majority countries/communities. And rural communities will also sometimes practice it, usually to avoid clan warfare.

Also, he spent time in his childhood in Milan and he has a business in Montreal. He knows Western judicial systems, even if he isn't fully acquainted with NY State specifically. I don't think he assumes he can pay a fee and go free.

jmopinion

 

[Dreamcherry]

This now seems like it was a plan that he thought of before taking his daughter on a lovely one-on-one vacation, including that last meal and call to her mother. What do you all think? Was that his plan?
​

I'd like to know if a vacation like this was out of the norm for them or not. If it isn't, then I might be convinced that there was a plan, and he's just an absolute moron. I mean, who leaves Canada to go to America to murder someone. Like, come on. He could have been out in 10 years with a brand new identity if he stayed here, let's be serious.

 

[SMK777]

I'd like to know if a vacation like this was out of the norm for them or not. If it isn't, then I might be convinced that there was a plan, and he's just an absolute moron. I mean, who leaves Canada to go to America to murder someone. Like, come on. He could have been out in 10 years with a brand new identity if he stayed here, let's be serious.

Is it possible that he didn't know how different the US is?

 

[Melt71]

Luciano Frattolin, the suspected murderer is Ethiopian. His mother is Ethiopian and he was born and raised in Ethiopia. In Africa, a person can get a reduced or suspended sentence if they make a payment to the victims, even for murder if the victim agrees! The payment is usually in the form of livestock and/or money. A completely different justice system.

Not in Ethiopia. It would not be unusual to come to a negotiated settlement as part of a court case (just like the west) but rarely would it be paid in cattle. In South Sudan I saw a lot of cases settled with cattle, but not Ethiopia where I lived for 4 years (and also worked in South Sudan on a fly-in basis).

 

[Inthedetails]

Not in Ethiopia. It would not be unusual to come to a negotiated settlement as part of a court case (just like the west) but rarely would it be paid in cattle. In South Sudan I saw a lot of cases settled with cattle, but not Ethiopia where I lived for 4 years (and also worked in South Sudan on a fly-in basis).

If he thought USA's legal system includes bartering, he's dumber than I thought.

I don't think he was that misguided about USA.

jmopinion

 

[Seattle1]

The conditions for 1st Degree in NY do not apply to this case
The punishment for 2nd Degree in NY can be Life in prison without parole

So- the charge isn’t likely the reason for Grand Jury
It is likely an Investigative Grand Jury

IMO

We don't have sufficient facts to determine whether the conditions for 1st degree murder were met!
I read the Felony Complaint of 7/20/25 by Trooper Suave, and it was bare bones, just sufficient to hold him.

In New York, felony charges are initiated by Indictment. This child deserves her death investigated/ reviewed by a grand jury, and any witnesses protected by the same. The defendant seems shady- let the GJ find the truth of why he silenced her. Even with bail reform, I doubt he's going anywhere. JMO

 

[AngTxGal]

We don't have sufficient facts to determine whether the conditions for 1st degree murder were met!
I read the Felony Complaint of 7/20/25 by Trooper Suave, and it was bare bones, just sufficient to hold him.

In New York, felony charges are initiated by Indictment. This child deserves her death investigated/ reviewed by a grand jury, and any witnesses protected by the same. The defendant seems shady- let the GJ find the truth of why he silenced her. Even with bail reform, I doubt he's going anywhere. JMO

I stand corrected- if the Grand Jury Investigation uncovers evidence that warrants a charge change, then this could become 1st Degree Murder.

From what is out in the media, it doesn’t appear as such.

NY Law 1st and 2nd Degree Murder

IMO

 

[borndem]

Maybe, to first degree?

Let's hope so. Grrrrr.

 

[CityKid]

We don't have sufficient facts to determine whether the conditions for 1st degree murder were met!
I read the Felony Complaint of 7/20/25 by Trooper Suave, and it was bare bones, just sufficient to hold him.

In New York, felony charges are initiated by Indictment. This child deserves her death investigated/ reviewed by a grand jury, and any witnesses protected by the same. The defendant seems shady- let the GJ find the truth of why he silenced her. Even with bail reform, I doubt he's going anywhere. JMO

Bail reform in NYS only affects misdemeanors (petty theft, trespassing) and nonviolent felonies (extortion), or repeat offenders.

 

[mickey2942]

I stand corrected- if the Grand Jury Investigation uncovers evidence that warrants a charge change, then this could become 1st Degree Murder.

From what is out in the media, it doesn’t appear as such.

NY Law 1st and 2nd Degree Murder

IMO

I don't know, based on the link, 1st degree would be charged if the murder involved "torture'.

MOO, if you are held underwater, until dead, that seems to be "torture' to me. With holding air from a child. After all, they consider "water boarding" torture, which is simulated drowning.

 

[Tealgrove]

Thanks for the link.

I was pleased to hear this last night for a couple of reasons. First, LF didn't enter a plea at his arraignment-- his PD spoke for him. Second, he's a foreigner being charged with the murder of a child on American soil--he's in for an awakening! JMO

Going to be very eye opening for him.

It makes no sense. But then again, I don’t think he’s very bright at the end of the day.

 

[Seattle1]

Bail reform in NYS only affects misdemeanors (petty theft, trespassing) and nonviolent felonies (extortion), or repeat offenders.

Thanks. I'm unaware if murder is a bailable offense in NYS.

 

[Inthedetails]

Thanks. I'm unaware if murder is a bailable offense in NYS.

I think he would be eligible for bail, but the judge has discretion on how, and if, it is set.

I'm not an expert though so...IMO!

jmopinion

 

[Seattle1]

I think he would be eligible for bail, but the judge has discretion on how, and if, it is set.

I'm not an expert though so...IMO!

jmopinion

I'm fairly confident LF isn't going anywhere. And if bail granted, I envision something like $10M cash only. In other words, the equivalent of no bail. JMO

 

[CityKid]

Thanks. I'm unaware if murder is a bailable offense in NYS.

IANAL. It can be, but the bail is generally quite high. The bail reform laws were meant to prevent people from sitting in jail before trial solely due to the amount of bail required for misdemeanors or minor nonviolent felonies, and those laws removed cash bail for these things (a wealthy person could bail out immediately, whereas a poor person accused of the same crime but couldn't afford the bail would be stuck in prison till trial). Many felonies in NYS require very high (over $1 million) bail, often with surrender of a passport. LF is a noncitizen accused of killing a child; he's not going anywhere before trial.

 

[CityKid]

I think he would be eligible for bail, but the judge has discretion on how, and if, it is set.

I'm not an expert though so...IMO!

jmopinion

I believe you're correct. Diddy was denied bail, for example.

 

[Curious Me]

Just my own gut level opinion. He's being charged
with murdering someone plus he's from another country. Not even a US citizen. He probably has more ease and connections to flee to another country, and that should be taken into consideration. He absolutely has plenty of pressing issues making him desperate to want to flee if out on bail, so... MOO, no bail should be granted. I think I'd blow a gasket if they allow it.​