LI Murder Suspect Extradited From FL In Slaying Of Dad Of 4 'Ran But Could Not Hide': DA

LONG ISLAND, NY — A Long Islander extradited from Florida was arraigned Tuesday on an indictment accusing him of gunning down a father of four back in May.

Joseph Scalafani, 34, was indicted for shooting and killing 32-year-old Alex Smith of Mastic Beach, in the parking lot of a bar in Mastic Beach. Smith is the younger brother of former WBO champ, Joseph Smith, Jr.

Scalafani’s brother, Daniel Scalafani, 30, and Joseph Scalafani’s friend, Jeffrey Mercury, 61, were also indicted for helping him flee New York after the killing, authorities said.

At around 8 p.m. on May 13, Scalafani violated a Family Court Order of Protection by approaching his ex-girlfriend and demanding that she set up a meeting between him and Smith, prosecutors said.

Scalafani then pulled out a black handgun from his pants pocket and threatened her by saying if she ran, he would hit her in the back, according to police.

A week later, on May 20, at around 2 a.m., Smith was inside Linsa Torr’s Place in Mastic Beach, with Scalafani’s ex-girlfriend, and as the pair left the bar, Scalafani ambushed them, and fired numerous shots at Smith, striking him multiple times in the back and torso, prosecutors said.

Smith died at the scene.

Scalafani fled New York with the aid of his brother, Daniel Scalafani, and friend, Jeffrey Mercury, with each providing money to him, and they lied to law enforcement when asked about his whereabouts, prosecutors said.

Mercury drove Joseph Scalafani down to Virginia and dropped him off to help in his flight from the police, according to prosecutors.

"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 District Attorney Ray Tierney. "This defendant ran but could not hide. His eventual apprehension was only a matter of time."

Tierney thanked his investigators for their hard work, 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," he said.

Scalafani was charged with second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, four counts of first-degree criminal contempt, and one count of second-degree criminal contempt.

He was ordered remanded to the Suffolk County Correctional Facility pending his next court date.

Daniel Scalafani and Mercury were charged with first-degree hindering prosecution and ordered on supervised released with GPS monitoring during the pendency of their cases. They are due back in court July 21 and July 19, respectively.

Scalafani did not waive his right to extradition at a hearing last month, and was held without bond at the Pinellas County Jail, 6th Judicial District Court Stephen Thompson previously told Patch.

Smith's step-mother, Tracy, previously told Patch Scalafani's decision to fight extradition is "a disgrace" and said she could not understand the reason behind it, adding:"It's shameful."

Commissioner Rodney Harrison reportedly said Smith was with Scalafani's ex-girlfriend at the time and speculated jealousy was behind the shooting.

A Suffolk Sheriff’s office spokeswoman said Scalafani was charged with criminal contempt and second-degree menacing May 16 — just four days before the shooting.

The details of that arrest have not been available from any of Suffolk's law enforcement agencies, and his bail information could not be verified.

Smith leaves behind four children ranging in age between 6 months and 9 years.

Smith's parents previously told Patch that he and Scalafani grew up together, and even trained as kids at the same boxing gym in Shirley, and then as an adult, Scalafani was in Smith's older brother's wedding party.

The Smith family regarded him as a member of the family, with the two parents still referring him to as "Joey" in an interview. The two lamented how the children of both men will be affected by the allegations in the long term.

Attorneys for the three could not be reached for comment.