More details have emerged in the shooting death of Alex Smith and the apprehension of his accused killer, Joseph Scalafani, a case that rocked the Mastic Beach community as many residents knew both families and were shocked over the senseless murder.
“This defendant allegedly shot Alex Smith multiple times at close range, killing him. Then, the defendant’s brother and friend allegedly helped him flee the state in an attempt to avoid being caught,” said Suffolk District Attorney Raymond Tierney in announcing his arraignment. “This defendant ran but could not hide. His eventual apprehension was only a matter of time. Thanks to the hard work of my office, the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, this defendant has been caught and will now answer for his alleged crimes.”
Scalafani, 34, is charged with killing Smith, 32, both of Mastic Beach, in a parking lot off Neighborhood Road. His brother, Daniel Scalafani, 30, and Joseph Scalafani’s friend, Jeffrey Mercury, 61, were also indicted for assisting the defendant to flee New York State after the murder.
According to Tierney, on May 13, 2023, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Sclafani, in violation of a Family Court Order of Protection, approached his ex-girlfriend and demanded that she set up a meeting between him and Alex Smith. He then pulled out a black handgun from his pants pocket and threatened his ex-girlfriend by saying if she ran that he would hit her in the back.
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Joseph Scalafani
Suffolk County Police Department
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After the murder, Joseph Scalafani allegedly fled New York with the aid of his brother and Mercury who each allegedly provided money to assist him in fleeing New York State and lied to law enforcement when asked about his whereabouts. Additionally, Mercury allegedly drove the defendant to Virginia and dropped him off to assist in his flight from apprehension.
Joseph Scalafani was arraigned before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins for the charges of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C felonies, four counts of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, Class E felonies, and one count of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor. Judge Collins remanded him to in-house detention. He is represented by Bryan Cameron and is due back in court August 23.
Daniel Scalafani was arraigned before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski for the charge of Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, a Class D felony. Judge Pilewski ordered Scalafani on supervised release with GPS monitoring during the pendency of the case. He is due back in court on July 21, 2023, and is being represented by John Halverson.
Jeffrey Mercury was arraigned before the Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis for the charge of Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, a Class D felony. Judge Wilutis required Mercury to have GPS monitoring during the pendency of the case. He is due back in court on July 19 before Judge Collins, and is being represented by Christopher Brocato.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Guidarelli of the Domestic Violence Bureau, with investigative assistance from the Suffolk County Police Department Homicide Squad.
Joseph Scalafani, who was wanted for the murder of Alex Smith on May 20 in Mastic Beach, was taken into custody by the Pinellas County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office at 6:58 a.m. on June 4. Scalafani, 32, of Mastic Beach, was arrested outside of 4700 Gulf Blvd. in St. Pete Beach and will return to Suffolk County pending an extradition hearing.