David Newbeck
A Massapequa man has become the second suspect to deny his role in the shooting death of a 30-year-old woman whose body was found in North Lindenhurst last month after she was reported missing in August.
David Newbeck pleaded not guilty Monday at Suffolk County court to second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon and hindering prosecution. Prosecutors said the 33-year-old shot and killed Mandy Jo Jenkins on Aug. 23 with the help of her live-in boyfriend, Joseph DeFelice, of North Amityville, who also denied his involvement in the murder when he was arraigned 10 days prior.
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Newbeck was ordered held without bail at Suffolk County jail. He had been apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents at a Houston airport when he attempted to board an international flight Oct. 14. DeFelice, 31, had been apprehended in Florida and is also being held without bail.
Authorities believe Newbeck and DeFelice buried Jenkins near Long Island Rail Road tracks near Babylon Town Hall after killing her because she refused to drop identity theft charges against an acquaintance. Her remains were recovered Oct. 3.
“Mandy Jo was killed to eliminate her as a witness against Jennifer Russini, Newbeck’s girlfriend,” said Assistant District Attorney Robert Biancavilla. Russini is being held at Nassau County jail while she awaits trial on charges of grand larceny and bail jumping. She is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 5.
Newbeck’s Mineola-based attorney, Stuart Austin, was not immediately available for comment.
Biancavilla declined to comment on whether Russini will be charged in connection with Jenkins’ murder.
“This whole thing is just awful and all of us that know Dave are beside ourselves,” said a former friend of Newbeck’s from Farmingdale who asked not to be named. “I’m happy Mandy was found and her family can finally lay her to rest. Such a terrible situation.”
Prosecutors said DeFelice gave authorities six different versions of what happened after reporting Jenkins missing from the Seabro Avenue apartment they shared inside a Halloween supply story warehouse. Police said there were obvious signs of a struggle at the scene.
DeFelice pleaded not guilty Oct. 22 to murder, criminal facilitation and hindering prosecution.
