Bath woman killed in Rochester
"It was one of the most horrible crimes I've ever witnessed, but also one of the most prosecutable," said Rochester Police Inv. Mark Marciano.
By Mary Perham The Leader

ROCHESTER - A 1997 Haverling Central School graduate died Saturday, Nov. 18 after reportedly being attacked in Rochester by her estranged husband.

Melissa Hammond, 28, was allegedly stabbed repeatedly with a fish knife by her husband, Christopher Hunter, in the driveway of a home near the corner of Avenue D and North Street, according to reports.

Hunter was arraigned Monday, Nov. 20 in Rochester City Court on second-degree murder charges and was sent to Monroe County Jail without bail, according to jail officials.

"It was one of the most horrible crimes I've ever witnessed, but also one of the most prosecutable," said Rochester Police Inv. Mark Marciano. "He's going away, I can tell you that."

Hammond, the mother of three small boys, had dropped them off at her mother-inlaw's home just before the attack, Marciano said.

Police believe Hunter arrived at the house, and walked outside with Hammond to talk before he stabbed her to death, Marciano said.

Family members said Hammond was in the process of divorcing Hunter, who has a criminal history and had been released from jail shortly before he allegedly murdered her.

"She had an order of protection," said Hammond's aunt, Amy Nunn, of Avoca. "She did know he was dangerous. We've found paperwork showing she was talking to people from a battered women's shelter."

Marciano confirmed Hunter had a criminal record, but added he had not been charged with any violent offenses before Saturday, Nov. 18.

Although he pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday, Nov. 20, Hunter has already signed a confession, Nunn said.

Marciano said he would not comment on specific details.

However, police arrived on the scene shortly after the attack and found Hunter covered in blood, he said.

"He was arrested without incident," Marciano said.

Nunn objected to some reports the incident was a "crime of passion."

"It was domestic abuse, pure and simple, that's what it was. He couldn't handle the rejection," Nunn said.

Nunn said her niece was a devoted mother.

"She went to work and she took care of her boys," Nunn said. "That was her life."

The children, Christopher, 5; Christian, 4; and Chrishawn, 2.5, are being counseled, Nunn said. The boys are being cared for by an aunt and uncle who have been given temporary custody, she said.

"The boys are OK during the day, but when it gets nighttime, they're crying themselves to sleep," she said. "They want her back."

A trust fund for the children has been set up, Hunter Children's Trust, at Five Star Bank, Nunn said.

Hunter was scheduled to reappear in court at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22.