Gabriel C. Melkioty

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 22-year-old Gabriel C. Melkioty of Olean was sentenced Tuesday afternoon before Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges to 16 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.

On March 31, at approximately 3:56 p.m., the defendant stabbed the female victim, with the intent to cause her death, multiple times with a pocket knife. The crime occurred inside of the victim’s residence in the town of Collins. The defendant also beat the victim and strangled her to the point of unconsciousness during the assault.

After the defendant left the home, the victim woke up and called 911. She was taken to ECMC where she received stitches for multiple stab wounds. The victim also suffered severe bruising and swelling to her face.

Melkioty pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree attempted murder on Nov. 30. The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest count in the indictment against him on the morning jury selection was scheduled to begin in his trial.

Haendiges issued a final order of protection behalf of the victim and her children, which remains in effect until April 1, 2045.

Flynn commends Detective Emily Nelson-Gerken, Detective Matthew Fuqua, Detective Nicholas Coniglio, Detective Scott Kuhlmey and Deputy Eric Szkatulski of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gina M. Gramaglia of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Taylor A. Gillespie of the Felony Trials Bureau.