Despite Plea In Long Island Man's Slaying, 'Closure Will Never Be' For Family

RIVERSIDE, NY — A Mastic Beach man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of his longtime friend, Alex Smith, his defense attorney, Anthony La Pinta said Tuesday.

Joseph Scalafani, 34, is expected to be sentenced 20 years to life on Jan. 21.

La Pinta said his client is "deeply sorry and resentful for causing the death of his childhood friend."

"Today is the first step in moving forward and putting this monumental loss behind for both families," he said.

Scalafani was extradited from Florida on an indictment accusing him of gunning down the father of four back in May 2023.

Scalafani was accused of killing 32-year-old Smith, who was the younger brother of former World Boxing Organization champ, Joseph "The Irish Bomber" Smith, Jr., in the parking lot of a bar in Mastic Beach.

Smith's stepmother, Tracy Brown Smith, told Patch said that after Scalafani admitted what he did, he turned and said he was sorry to her family.

"I’m thankful to [District Attorney Ray Tierney] and all involved in this matter," she said, adding, that "closure will never be because Alex is not here."

Scalafani’s brother, Daniel Scalafani, 30, and Joseph Scalafani’s friend, Jeffrey Mercury, 61, also pleaded guilty to first-degree hindering prosecution for helping him flee New York after the murder.

Patch has reached out to Daniel Scalafani's attorney, James Patrick Mercurio of East Meadow.

He is due back in court on Dec. 6.

Mercury's attorney, Christopher Brocato of Central Islip, was not immediately reachable for comment.

He is due back in court on Nov. 21.

In a statement, Tierney said the guilty plea closes a case where a life was senselessly taken and efforts to evade justice failed.

"Although it will not bring back Mr. Smith, the defendant and the two accomplices who
aided his attempt to escape have all now been held accountable,” he said. “In Suffolk County, playing any role in attempts to flee from a homicide will be met with serious
consequences.”

Prosecutors previously said that at around 8 p.m. on May 13, 2023, 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.

Police also said that Scalafani pulled out a black handgun from his pants pocket and threatened her by saying if she ran, he would hit her in the back.

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.

While Smith was collapsed on the ground, Scalafani shot him twice in the head at close range, prosecutors said, adding that Scalafani then got in his vehicle and sped away, only to crash a short distance away, and then ran away.

Smith died at the scene.

Scalafani fled New York with the help of his brother, Daniel, and friend, 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.

Tierney has credited investigators for their hard work, including the police department’s Homicide Squad, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.

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.

Scalafani initially tried to fight his extradition from Florida, angering Smith's family.

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

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

Smith leaves behind four children ranging in age between six months and nine years.

His 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 after the shooting. The two lamented how the children of both men will be affected by the allegations in the long term.

His father, Joseph Smith Sr., told Patch that his son had a lot of friends and would be missed.

Smith's slaying saddened the small, tight-knit community.

Following news of his death, one woman, who asked not to be named, called Smith “a great guy” and said the community was in shock over his slaying.

Former Suffolk County Legis. Kate Browning, who served as Smith's bus driver when he was a child, recalled him as a youngster with his brothers — all rambunctious little boys with the blondest ringlets and the bluest eyes.

“It's really heartbreaking,” she said, adding that gun violence of any kind “is senseless.”