(WNY News Now) – A Niagara Falls man has been indicted for manslaughter following the death of a woman he allegedly assaulted at a disability program facility in the Town of Tonawanda.
Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced that 26-year-old Daniel J. Abbotoy of Niagara Falls was arraigned on a grand jury indictment charging him with one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class “B” violent felony.
The indictment stems from an incident on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, around noon, when Abbotoy allegedly inflicted serious physical injury on another participant at a program for individuals with disabilities. The victim, 56-year-old Diana Robinson of Amherst, later died from her injuries at Erie County Medical Center on April 15, 2025.
Abbotoy was initially charged with Assault in the First Degree and arraigned in Tonawanda Town Court on the evening of the incident. He was remanded without bail pending a court-ordered forensic evaluation.
Following the evaluation, the defendant was found not competent to stand trial. On Tuesday morning, State Supreme Court Justice Debra Givens signed a temporary order of commitment, requiring Abbotoy to remain in the custody of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. He will continue to receive treatment until he is deemed competent to proceed with the legal case.
A court appearance to review the defendant’s status has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
District Attorney Keane praised the efforts of Detective Mark Muscoreil, Detective Frank DiRienzo, and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department for their investigative work.
The prosecution is being led by Chief Danielle N. D’Abate of the Felony Trials Bureau and Senior Trial Counsel Colleen Curtin Gable.
As with all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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