Dutchess man indicted on murder charge in fatal stabbing of ex-girlfriend’s daughter

Paul Senecal, 38, was arraigned Friday in Dutchess County Supreme Court on charges of first- and second-degree murder, burglary and criminal contempt.

Blaise Gomez

Jul 11, 2022, 5:14 PM

Updated 826 days ago

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A Dutchess County man accused of fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend’s daughter has now been indicted on murder charges. 
Paul Senecal, 38, was arraigned Friday in Dutchess County Supreme Court on charges of first- and second-degree murder, burglary and criminal contempt. 
He’s accused of stabbing 29-year-old Melanie Chianese in May at the Wappinger home she shared with her mother and young son. 
Senecal, from Poughkeepsie, had a restraining order for domestic violence prohibiting him from going to the home.  
He’s being held without bail and is expected in court on Wednesday on a separate contempt charge for violating the order of protection.