Man Accused of Stabbing Envoy's Wife Faces First-Degree Murder Charge
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
A man accused of breaking into a home on New York's Long Island and fatally stabbing the wife of a former U.S. ambassador now faces a first-degree murder charge.
A grand jury on Wednesday returned the upgraded murder charge against Robert Schiavo in the March 8 death of Nancy McKinley during a break-in. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail.
The 22-year-old Medford man originally was charged with second-degree murder and burglary. Prosecutors say the upgrade reflects that the killing took place during another felony.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Schiavo's attorney says his client had no criminal history. If convicted, Schiavo faces life without parole.
The 61-year-old McKinley was the wife of former U.S. ambassador Brunson McKinley.