Woman accused of fatally stabbing 28-year-old in his sleep pled not guilty to murder charge

MASSAPEQUA (WABC) -- A Nassau County woman who is accused of stabbing a man to death as he slept in his Massapequa home appeared in court on Wednesday.

Friends and family of 28-year-old Robert Carragher packed the courtroom and were very emotional as 22-year-old Kristin Sculley faced a judge.

Many cried, and a woman even yelled out, 'rot in jail.'

Carragher was stabbed in the neck and died in his father's arms after collapsing.

"The absolute worst nightmare you can think of, picture for anybody it's the absolute worst nightmare you can think of," a family member said.

According to prosecutors, Sculley knew the victim for many years and in the early morning hours on June 1, she allegedly got a knife from her purse and plunged a switchblade into his neck as he was in bed sleeping.

The 28-year-old went up the stairs screaming for his parents' help and bled to death on the kitchen floor, according to police.

"It's now a matter of what circumstances caused a 22-year-old woman, 105 pounds, to take the life of a 28-year-old man," attorney Dennis Lemke said.

Scully was later located in the basement laundry room near the victim's bedroom.

Lemke, the 22-year-old's attorney, claims that Carragher was her drug supplier and says Sculley acted in self-defense.

"She gave a statement to the police, in which right away she indicated that she was being sexually assaulted and was given some type of drug and she woke up and he was on top of her trying to abuse her," Lemke said.

The two had conversations that show they had a romantic relationship and that night she spent hours in his room watching tv, according to prosecutors.

Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly released a statement saying in part,"Kristin Sculley was welcomed into the victim's home as a trusted acquaintance, yet she retrieved a knife from her purse to allegedly carry out this brutal attack. No family should ever have to endure the nightmare that the victim's parents experienced as their son died in their arms."

Supporters of Scully were also in the courtroom. Many who were there for Carragher applauded as the judge did not set bail.

She will remain behind bars as the case moves forward.

Sculley pleaded not guilty to murder. If convicted, she faces 25 years to life in prison.

The 22-year-old is due back in court on July 24.

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