Nicole “Nikki” Addimando Shoots Husband to Death in Poughkeepsie New York

On the night of September 27, 2017, a fatal shooting in Poughkeepsie, New York, set off a legal battle that would capture national attention. Nicole “Nikki” Addimando, a 29-year-old mother of two, shot and killed her partner, Christopher Grover, in their shared home. She claimed the act was in self-defense, citing years of severe domestic and sexual abuse at Grover’s hands.

However, despite evidence of her abuse, Addimando was convicted of second-degree murder in 2019 and sentenced to 19 years to life in prison. Her case became a landmark fight for domestic violence survivors, leading to her resentencing under the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA) in 2021. In January 2024, she was released after serving nearly six years.

This article delves deep into the events of that tragic night, the legal battle that followed, and the broader implications of Addimando’s case for survivors of domestic abuse.

Nicole Addimando, known as “Nikki,” was a loving mother, an artist, and a domestic abuse survivor. She had a passion for baking and crafts and was well-liked in her community.

However, behind closed doors, Nikki was allegedly trapped in a cycle of abuse at the hands of Christopher Grover, her longtime partner and father of her two children.

Grover was a gymnastics coach at a local gym, and to the outside world, the couple appeared happy and normal. But according to Addimando, Grover was violent and controlling, subjecting her to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse for years.

Christopher Grover was a gymnastics coach at a local gym in Poughkeepsie, New York, and the longtime partner of Nicole “Nikki” Addimando. He was the father of their two children and was fatally shot by Addimando on September 27, 2017.

While publicly perceived as a dedicated coach and father, court proceedings and testimony from Addimando revealed allegations of severe domestic and sexual abuse over several years. Addimando claimed that Grover had been physically, emotionally, and sexually abusive, often threatening her life and coercing her into submission.

His death became the center of a high-profile legal case, raising questions about domestic violence, self-defense, and the criminalization of abuse survivors.

On the night of September 27, 2017, an argument between Nikki and Christopher Grover turned deadly in their home in Poughkeepsie, New York.

According to Nikki, Grover had threatened to kill her and take away their children if she ever tried to leave him. She claimed that on the night of the shooting, he had assaulted her again. Fearing for her life, she grabbed a gun and shot him in the head while he was sitting on their couch.

After the shooting, Addimando left the house in shock and was stopped by a police officer while sitting in her car nearby. She immediately confessed to the shooting and told the officer that she had acted in self-defense after years of abuse.

Despite her claims of self-defense, authorities arrested Nicole Addimando and charged her with second-degree murder.

• Investigators questioned whether the shooting was an act of self-defense or premeditated murder.
• The prosecution argued that Grover had been shot execution-style while sitting on the couch.
• The defense countered that Nikki had acted in a moment of terror, fearing for her life.
• Medical records and photographs documented her history of severe injuries, including burns, bruises, and cuts.

Despite the evidence of abuse, prosecutors pushed for a murder conviction, stating that Addimando had other options besides killing Grover.

Nikki Addimando’s trial began in 2019, and it quickly became a high-profile case due to its implications for domestic violence survivors.

• Prosecutors portrayed Nikki as a manipulator, claiming she could have left rather than killing Grover.
• The defense presented medical and photographic evidence of her injuries, proving a long history of physical abuse.
• Survivors’ advocates supported Nikki, arguing that her case was an example of criminalized survival—when abuse victims are punished for defending themselves.

Despite these arguments, the jury found Nikki guilty of second-degree murder in April 2019.

In February 2020, she was sentenced to 19 years to life in prison, sparking outrage among domestic violence activists.

After Nikki’s conviction, her legal team and supporters fought for her resentencing under New York’s Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA), which allows reduced sentences for abuse victims who commit crimes related to their abuse.

In 2021, the Appellate Division ruled in her favor, reducing her sentence from 19 years to life to 7.5 years. This was a landmark ruling under the DVSJA.

• The court acknowledged the abuse Nikki had suffered.
• It recognized that her actions were directly connected to her trauma.
• It set a precedent for future cases involving abuse survivors.

On January 4, 2024, after serving almost six years in prison, Nikki was released on parole under community supervision.

• Her supporters rejoiced, calling her release a victory for criminalized survivors.
• Her family and children welcomed her back, and she now has a chance to rebuild her life.
• The case remains a symbol of the legal system’s failure to protect victims of domestic violence.

Nikki Addimando’s case has sparked national conversations about how the criminal justice system treats abuse survivors.

• Many survivors fear calling the police because they risk being criminalized.
• The case highlighted the need for better protections for victims of domestic abuse.
• It led to increased awareness about coercive control and self-defense laws.

Organizations like We Stand With Nikki and And So I Stayed continue to advocate for survivors facing unjust prison sentences.

The shooting of Christopher Grover by Nicole “Nikki” Addimando on September 27, 2017, was not just a crime—it was a desperate act of survival.

While she was initially punished for defending herself, her resentencing and release prove that society is beginning to recognize the plight of domestic violence victims.

Nikki’s case remains a symbol of hope for abuse survivors and a cautionary tale about the failures of the justice system.