Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney made an announcement today regarding the indictment of Joseph Scalafani, a 34-year-old resident of Mastic Beach. Scalafani is being charged with shooting and killing 32-year-old Alex Smith in the parking lot of a bar in Mastic Beach. In addition to Scalafani, his brother Daniel Scalafani, 30, and friend Jeffrey Mercury, 61, were also indicted for assisting Joseph Scalafani to flee New York State after the murder.
According to the investigation, the incident occurred on May 13, 2023, at around 8:00 p.m. Joseph Scalafani approached his ex-girlfriend, violating a Family Court Order of Protection, and demanded that she set up a meeting between him and Alex Smith. He then threatened his ex-girlfriend by brandishing a black handgun and warning her that he would harm her if she tried to escape.
A week later, on May 20, 2023, at approximately 2:00 a.m., the victim, Alex Smith, was at Linsa Torr’s Place, a bar in Mastic Beach, with Joseph Scalafani’s ex-girlfriend. As they exited the bar, Scalafani allegedly ambushed them and fired multiple shots at Smith, hitting him in the back and torso. While Smith was on the ground, Scalafani reportedly shot him twice in the head at close range. Scalafani then fled the scene in his vehicle but crashed a short distance away before escaping on foot. Unfortunately, Smith succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
After committing the murder, Joseph Scalafani fled New York with the help of his brother Daniel Scalafani and friend Jeffrey Mercury. Both Daniel Scalafani and Mercury allegedly provided financial assistance to Joseph Scalafani and lied to law enforcement about his whereabouts. Additionally, Mercury drove Joseph Scalafani to Virginia, where he could continue to elude capture.
Joseph Scalafani was apprehended by members of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida on June 4, 2023. He was extradited back to Suffolk County on July 6, 2023, to face charges. On July 11, 2023, Scalafani was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins. The charges against him include Murder in the Second Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, four counts of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, and one count of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree. Judge Collins remanded Scalafani, and his next court appearance is scheduled for August 23, 2023. He is being represented by Bryan Cameron, Esq.
On June 23, 2023, Daniel Scalafani was arraigned on the charge of Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski. Judge Pilewski ordered Scalafani to be on supervised release with GPS monitoring during the proceedings. He is due back in court on July 21, 2023, and his legal representation is provided by John Halverson, Esq.
Similarly, on June 14, 2023, Jeffrey Mercury was arraigned on the charge of Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis. Judge Wilutis mandated that Mercury wears a GPS monitor while the case is ongoing. His next appearance before Judge Collins is scheduled for July 19, 2023, and he is being represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.
District Attorney Tierney expressed gratitude for the hard work and collaboration between his office, the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, which led to the successful capture of Joseph Scalafani. Tierney affirmed that Scalafani may have run, but he could not hide, and that he will now answer for his alleged crimes.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding protection orders and the consequences that can arise from their violation. The District Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served and to provide support to the victim’s family during this difficult time.
