There is no claim of self-defense in Sunday’s fatal shooting of an unarmed Schuylerville man by his former girlfriend, Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy said Monday.
Joey M. Paul, 28, of 82 Church St., was arrested by state police late Sunday on a charge of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Matthew K. Furlani, 28, also of 82 Church St.
Murphy identified Furlani as Paul’s “former boyfriend,” though the two shared an apartment.
The shooting occurred in the small village about 10 miles east of Saratoga Springs around 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Neighbors who heard the shot immediately called 911. Upon arriving at the scene, state police found Furlani dead and Paul the only other occupant of the apartment.
Furlani had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. A large-caliber rifle was secured at the scene, state police said.
“She is alleged to have used a rifle in the shooting. He was unarmed. She is uninjured. There is no allegation of self-defense,” Murphy said in a news release Monday.
Furlani’s death was attributed to massive trauma from a single gunshot to the head, said Saratoga County Coroner Thomas Salvadore.
State police forensic investigators remained at the shooting scene Monday and Murphy would not comment on what, if anything, was taken from the apartment. A search warrant was signed Sunday by Saratoga County Court Judge Jerry J. Scarano.
Paul, who was arraigned Sunday before Saratoga Town Justice David Mathis and sent to the Saratoga County Jail without bail, already had a felony burglary charge pending against her in the city of Mechanicville. “She allegedly stole property from her brother’s home,” Murphy said.
The second-degree burglary charge was scheduled for a court date in Mechanicville City Court today, but given the new development it has been adjourned at the request of the defense. The Saratoga County Public Defender’s Office, which is representing Paul on the burglary charge, declined comment Monday on the murder charge filed against her.
No follow-up court date has been set.
Second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
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