A Long Island man convicted of stabbing and robbing a funeral home director in 2023 exploded in a Suffolk County courtroom Tuesday — attempting to fire his attorney, interrupting prosecutors and calling the judge “the devil” before receiving a 25-year prison sentence.
Jason Funderburke, 39, who was convicted by a jury in March, stormed into the courtroom Wednesday and attempted to reject its authority to deliver a sentence — obnoxiously objecting every time the prosecutor spoke and causing the judge to tell him to “shut up” during the testy proceedings.
“I’m not being sentenced today,” Funderburke said at the top of his lungs, claiming the state presented “no evidence” of his guilt.
“You were convicted by a jury of your peers,” a befuddled Judge Timothy Mazzei replied.
Funderburke, who hails from Hempstead, then began shouting over the judge, rattling off random cherry-picked sections of state and federal law, accusing the court of violating his First and 14th Amendment rights.
He also refused to address the judge with respect, instead calling him “Mr. Mazzei” because he is “not honorable.”
“Will you shut up?!” the judge eventually snapped at Funderburke, briefly removing him from the court before bringing him back for final sentencing.
His attorney asked the judge to take into consideration his client’s “clear and serious mental health issues” displayed throughout the trial — which only further enraged Funderburke, leading him to attempt to fire his legal counsel on the spot.
“You don’t represent me! I’ll represent myself,” he shouted.
Eventually, the judge proceeded to sentence Funderburke amid his defiant screams and objections – sentencing him to 25 years and kicking him out of the court.
“Have a good day,” Funderburke said sarcastically as he was dragged out by court officers.
“It’ll be better than yours,” Mazzei shot back.
“No, you won’t because you’re the devil,” the convicted man yelled at the judge as he was taken away.
According to evidence presented at trial, the unidentified director of an Amityville funeral home was entering his business on Aug. 23, 2023, when he was rushed by Funderburke and an accomplice.
Funderburke and his accomplice then showed the owner a picture of his family and demanded that the funeral home owner empty his pockets while brandishing a knife.
When he refused, Funderburke and his accomplice stabbed him twice and stole his wallet and phones, the DA said.
The unidentified victim survived the stabbing.
“We will not tolerate violent attacks in Suffolk County,” District Attorney Ray Tierney said. “This three-time convicted felon made the choice to rob and stab an owner of a funeral home, someone who serves our community during their most solemn moments.
“Let me be clear that we will do everything in our power to protect our citizens from violent criminals. This sentence will ensure that defendant Funderburke is no longer able to hurt our residents.”
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