Murder Suspect Charged For Execution-Style Killing in New York; Suspect’s Brother, Friend Charged for Obstructing Prosecution

Joseph Scalafani faced charges of murdering a man execution style in New York. In addition, the murder suspect’s brother and friend were also accused of obstructing the prosecution of the defendant.

Reports say in May, Alex Smith, 30, was in Linsa Torr’s Place, a bar in Mastic Beach, New York with Joseph Scalafani’s ex-girlfriend. However, upon exiting the bar, Scalafani, 32, allegedly approached both individuals and shot Smith several times in the torso and back. After collapsing to the ground, Scalafani also shot him twice in the head before fleeing the crime scene.

According to Wehner, the murder suspect crashed his vehicle a short distance away but fled the scene on foot thereafter. Further reports say, the murder suspect’s brother, Daniel Scalafani, 30, and his friend, Jeffrey Mercury, 61, provided Joseph with money and lied to authorities when asked about the suspect’s whereabouts.

However, Mercury was accused of driving and dropping off the murder suspect in Virginia. Fortunately, on June 4, the murder suspect was arrested by the Sheriff’s Office of Pinellas County in Florida. On July 6, his arraignment was scheduled after he was extradited back to Long Island.

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Murder Suspect and Accomplices Charged

An article in the Suffolk County Government states that on July 11, the murder suspect arraigned by Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins on one count of second-degree criminal contempt, four counts of first-degree criminal contempt, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and second-degree murder. The murder suspect’s next appearance in court is scheduled on August 23.

On the other hand, on June 14, Judge Karen M. Wilutis arraigned Mercury on first-degree hindering prosecution and on June 23, Judge Steven A. Pilewski arraigned Daniel on the same charge.

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