'Violent Attack' On Funeral Home Owner Gets LI Felon 25 Years: DA

AMITYVILLE, NY — A Long Island man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for stabbing and robbing a funeral home owner in 2023, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

Jason Funderburke, 39, of Hempstead, was sentenced to 25 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of first-degree robbery and other related charges, for robbing and stabbing the owner of a funeral home in Amityville in August 2023, the DA said.

"We will not tolerate violent attacks in Suffolk County," Tierney said. "This three-time convicted felon made the choice to rob and stab an owner of a funeral home, someone who serves our community during their most solemn moments. Let me be clear that we will do everything in our power to protect our citizens from violent criminals. This sentence will ensure that defendant Funderburke is no longer able to hurt our residents."

According to evidence established at trial, on August 29, 2023, at around 11:30 a.m., the owner of an Amityville funeral home was attempting to enter the facility when he was approached by Funderburke and an accomplice, the DA said.

Funderburke and the accomplice showed the victim a picture of the victim’s family and demanded money from him at knifepoint and when the victim refused, they stabbed him twice and stole his wallet and phones, the DA said.

The victim was transported to Good Samaritan University Hospital where he was treated for stab wounds and internal bleeding, the DA said.

On March 12, Funderburke was convicted of the following charges after a jury trial heard before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei count of first-degree robbery, a Class B violent felony; two counts of second-degree robbery, Class C violent felonies; and one count of second-degree assault in; a Class D violent felony, the DA said.

Prior to this case, Funderburke had been convicted of multiple offenses, including second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance in 2007, a Class B felony; third-degree robbery in 2004, a Class D felony; and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance in 2004, a Class D felony, the DA said.

On April 16, Mazzei sentenced Funderburke to 25 years in prison, the DA said. He was represented by Chase Brown who was not immediately available for comment.