Halfmoon woman gets 16 years for stabbing husband

PHOTOGRAPHER: Stephen Williams

A Halfmoon woman convicted of repeatedly stabbing her husband last year was sentenced in Saratoga County Court today to 16 years in state prison.

Lydia Ann Salce, 51, was convicted at a jury trial in July of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of first-degree assault. She could have faced up to 25 years in prison.

Prosecutors said she stabbed husband Michael McKee more than a dozen times at their home on Aug. 11, 2011, during a late-night argument. He survived and testified against Salce during the trial.

Salce’s defense was that she stabbed McKee, 42, in self-defense as he was beating her, but County Court Judge Jerry Scarano rejected that argument.

“The evidence at trial clearly establishes a viscous and brutal knife attack on Mr. McKee, which seems to have been unprovoked,” Scarano said before imposing sentence.

An appeal is expected. Salce declined to address the charges prior to sentencing, citing plans to appeal.

In addition to the 16-year prison sentence, Salce will be on supervised release for five years after her release. Scarano also issued a permanent order of protection barring contact with McKee.