21-Year-Old Man Charged In Stabbing Death Of L.I. Teen Held Without Bail
HUNTINGTON STATION, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A 21-year-old man charged in connection with the stabbing death of a teenager earlier this month on Long Island is being held without bail.
Adam Saalfield of Huntington Station was arrested Wednesday and charged with second-degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Maggie Rosales.
Saalfield allegedly sneaked up behind Rosales and sliced her neck twice, 1010 WINS' Roger Stern reported. Police had earlier said she had been stabbed in the torso.
Rosales was found dead, lying facedown on Lynch Street in Huntington Station on Oct. 12, police said.
"I went to school with her. She was nice. It's tragic, and with all these killings and things happening, these past couple weeks, it's not really safe anymore," neighbor Doug Villatoro said.
As Saalfield was being arraigned Thursday at First District Court in Central Islip, one of the victim's relatives stood up and yelled, "You animal! You murderer!," WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.
Outside the courtroom, the victim's father said news of an arrest managed to bring some relief to his grieving family.
"It's a sad moment but thank God they got this animal," Cesar Rosales said. "I want my daughter's life back."
The victim's uncle called Saalfield a predator.
"This is a guy that has been watching probably not just my brother's daughter, but also some other kids in the community," Edgar Rosales said.
Police said they have DNA evidence and surveillance video linking Saalfield to the murder, but no motive and are investigating whether the two knew each other.
"We do not have any evidence that there was any relationship between the two," said Lt. Kevin Beyrer, who is asking anyone with information to call Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
CBS2's Sonia Rincon reports Saalfield lived just a few doors down from Rosales.
Saalfield has pleaded not guilty.
"Adam proclaims his innocence," defense attorney John LoTurco said. "It's our understanding the district attorney's office claims they have a very strong case. We will thoroughly examine the evidence and we will provide Adam with the most vigorous and zealous defense possible."
In a statement, LoTurco said Saalfield "claims he had no relationship with the victim and no motive to commit such a brutal crime."
As Rincon reported, Rosales' mother said in Spanish that she wants to see the worst for Saalfield.
Rosales' murder had been the fourth unsolved homicide in Huntington Station in a year.
In July, a 25-year-old man was shot in the head on East Ninth Street.
In June, 38-year-old Luis Ramos-Rodriguez was found behind a building on New York Avenue lying on the ground with a stab wound. He died at the hospital.
On Oct. 3, 2013, the body of Sarah Strobel, 23, was discovered off a walking path at the Froehlich Farm Nature Preserve.
The deaths have many residents demanding a stronger police presence and protection.
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