Nassau Man Arraigned In Stabbing Death Of Stranger

HEMPSTEAD, NY — A man charged with stabbing a stranger to death in Hempstead in March was arraigned on murder charges today, officials say.

Westley Witts, 30, was charged with second-degree murder and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He is due back in court on June 4. If convicted of the top charge, he could face up to life in prison.

“The defendant, while wielding a large sword-like serrated knife, allegedly stabbed a stranger to death in the middle of a Hempstead street,” said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. “This was a completely senseless act of violence, and thanks to numerous 911 callers and quick police action, this defendant was apprehended quickly and will be held responsible for his actions.”

According to Singas, at 4:54 p.m. on March 7, Witts got into a fight with 39-year-old Julio Jesus Solano Alfonso in front of a deli on North Franklin Street in Hempstead. The fight moved across the street to a parking lot, Singas said, where Witts allegedly stabbed Alfonso with a large, serrated knife, bisecting his liver.

Singas said that Witts ran toward Main Street in Hempstead where he was found shortly later in a laundromat by Hemsptead Police Department officers.

Alfonso was taken to NYU Winthrop Hospital and died of his injuries around 5:15 p.m.