Shirley man asked to be stabbed, officials say

The Shirley man who bled to death from a leg wound had challenged his enraged partner to stab him during an argument - and she did, officials said Saturday.

At the arraignment in Central Islip for Kathleen McGettigan on a charge of manslaughter, Suffolk County prosecutor Nancy Clifford said McGettigan, 56, called 911 early Friday and later told officers about a dispute with her live-in boyfriend, David Harris.

"I told him I was going to stick him with the knife," McGettigan said, according to the assistant district attorney. "He said, 'Go ahead, stick me with it, --.' So I stuck him with it one time in the left leg."

Harris, 45, bled to death after the knife struck a large artery in his thigh, police said.

McGettigan was charged with first-degree manslaughter. She pleaded not guilty and was held on $250,000 cash bail or $500,000 bond.

Her Legal Aid attorney also asked that she receive a psychological evaluation.

Police and prosecutors said McGettigan told a 911 operator that she had stabbed her boyfriend.

"This is a very strong case," Clifford said after the hearing in First District Court.

Police have been called to the house repeatedly for domestic disturbances over the past three years. McGettigan has no prior criminal history, and officials said they don't know the nature of the Friday dispute.

A conviction for first-degree manslaughter carries a maximum prison sentence of 25 years. McGettigan is due back in court Wednesday.