Jose Funes-Zabala, 43, pleads not guilty in Hempstead stabbing death of ex-girlfriend

A Roosevelt man pleaded not guilty Monday to a grand jury indictment alleging that he stabbed his ex-girlfriend more than 30 times in front of their 2-year-old son.

Prosecutors said Jose William Funes-Zabala, 43, was arraigned on the indictment of second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon and misdemeanor child endangerment charges, following the Oct. 5 killing of Brenda Guadalupe Alfaro-Alcantara, 29, in her basement apartment on Botsford Street in Hempstead.

Authorities said Funes-Zabala waited to visit their son until an order of protection, filed by Alfaro-Alcantara, had expired.

Prosecutors said Funes-Zabala and Alfaro-Alcantara got into an argument when he learned she was dating someone else and he attacked her while their son watched in the same room.

"We are committed to ensuring justice for Brenda and her loved ones as we prosecute this case," Nassau County DA Anne Donnelly said in a statement.

Brian Carmody, an attorney representing Funes-Zabala, said Monday afternoon that he intends to pursue a psychiatric defense of "extreme emotional disturbance" to potentially reduce the charges to manslaughter.

The couple had previously lived together in the same apartment as part of a three-year relationship, officials said. Funes-Zabala allegedly stabbed her about 35 times.

Investigators believe Funes-Zabala walked out of the apartment about 7 p.m. on Oct. 5 with blood on his face, leaving the child behind. Relatives later found the boy and Alfaro Alcantara in the apartment when they were unable to reach her, prosecutors said. The boy was found unharmed, according to prosecutors.

Homicide detectives arrested Funes-Zabala the next day at Nassau University Medical Center. Funes-Zabala could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted. He is due back in court Feb. 27 and was ordered remanded in custody without bail.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.