Man Charged in Maggie Rosales' Murder Held Without Bail

Adam Saalfield, the Huntington Station man charged in the murder of 18-year-old Maggie Rosales, pleaded not guilty Thursday, officials said.

Saalfield, 21, was arrested by Suffolk County Police homicide detectives Wednesday afternoon.

Detectives had gathered DNA evidence from the murder scene and, part of the incident was caught on surveillance video, police told Patch.

Inside First District Court in Central Islip Thursday, one of Rosales’ relatives shouted at Saalfield, “You animal! You murderer!,” CBS New York reported.

An assistant district attorney said Saalfield had stabbed Rosales in the throat, twice, from behind, according to a Newsday report.

Earlier police reports stated that Maggie Rosales had been stabbed in the torso.

News of the arrest comes as the Huntington Station community, faced with four local murders in one year, are demanding a stronger police presence to put a stop to crime in the area.

“Last night’s arrest brings us all one step closer to getting justice for the murder of Maggie Rosales,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said.

“Nothing can undo that senseless act of violence, but we are all safer when a murderer is removed from our streets,” Bellone added. “I applaud the excellent work of the Suffolk County Police Department and I know they will continue to work equally hard to bring everyone who commits acts of violence to justice.”

Denying bail in court Thursday, Judge G. Ann Spelman said Saalfield is charged with the “most heinous conduct,” Newsday reported.

But Saalfield’s attorney, John LoTurco of Huntington, said his client maintains his innocence.

“Adam further claims he had no relationship with the victim, and no motive to commit such a brutal crime,” LoTurco said, in a statement released to Patch.

“We will have our own DNA expert analyze the lab results,” LoTurco added. “We will carefully inspect the surveillance videotape and will zealously defend Adam at trial.”

Meanwhile, Maggie Rosales’ family continues to grieve.

“It’s a sad moment but thank God they got this animal,” Cesar Rosales told CBS. “I want my daughter’s life back.”