Alleged Grow House Killer Jose Alfaro in Court this Morning

By Gail Shepherd Thu., Mar. 4 2010 at 2:58 PM

Stephen and Edwin Febonio in happier times.

Edwin Febonio says it didn't pain him to see his son's alleged murderer in court this morning. "I wanted to see him," Febonio said simply, referring to Jose Alfaro, who stood shackled, wearing a gray and blue prison uniform just feet from where Febonio was sitting with his friend Michael Pampillonia. Febonio hadn't set eyes on Alfaro since he watched him drive off with his son Stephen in August of 2007. Febonio never saw his son again.

Febonio says he plans to attend every court date in what may turn out to be a drawn-out legal battle. Alfaro stands accused of murdering Stephen Febonio because of a dispute over a $10,000 debt and burying him inside a freezer at a Delray Beach marijuana grow house. It took police two years from the time of Stephen's disappearance to discover the body: By that time, Alfaro had fled the state. He was apprehended and extradited back to Florida last December. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney Michael Cohen took over Alfaro's case from his public defender last month; at this morning's disposition hearing at the Palm Beach County Courthouse, he asked Judge Amy Smith to set a hearing date for July 30, remarking that he had at least 50 witnesses to depose and that the process might take a "long time." He told the judge that Alfaro's mother would be paying his legal fees.

Alfaro sat expressionless for the most part, his mouth in a thin line, occasionally displaying mild impatience or talking to the prisoner shackled next to him. He did not look at Mr. Febonio and Pampillonia.

When asked about how he felt about seeing Alfaro, Pampillonia was less sanguine. "It was all I could do not to jump over there and strangle him with my bare hands," he said.

Tags:

grow houses, Jose Alfaro, Marijuana, Murder, Stephen Febonio

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Seattle Limos

woopwoop nieuwe badpakken gehaalt, toch wel leuker als je 4 maten kwijt bent :D nog steeds ziek helaaz :(

Michaelspe239

This case was profiled on A&E"s "Manhunters Fugitive Task Force" when Alfaro was taken into custody by the US Marshalls he resisted them. Alfaro also assaulted the camera man from A&E. Alfaro was very cocky and arrogant when caught. The sad part of this is Alfaro"s mommy lying to the Marshall"s about her son"s whereabouts.

get a clue

Wow. How ignorant must someone be to say that a man that has been murdered and stuffed in a freezer "was not innocent." Actually He was innocent in this case. Are you saying He deserved to die? The only thing that little scumbag jose deserves is a death asentence, the same verdict he chose for Steve. And an fyi, jax actually has no issues, but clearly you do if you happen to be the type of person to go on blogs and defend murders... And insinuate the Departed deserved to die.And to 'Bob,' this "character" as you describe him, sat ten feet from the piece of trash that shot his friend in back, one of the most cowardice acts anyone can make. he took this "character's" friend he grew up with, and would do anything for, away from him. If you wouldn't feel like strangling someone if you were in that same situation, then maybe you're the "character," Bob. Is the coral still a hot commodity these days? If only it cured ignorance along with cancer...-Russo out

get a clue

Wow. How ignorant must someone be to say that a man that has been murdered and stuffed in a freezer "was not innocent." Actually He was innocent in this case. Are you saying He deserved to die? The only thing that little scumbag jose deserves is a death asentence, the same verdict he chose for Steve. And an fyi, jax actually has no issues, but clearly you do if you happen to be the type of person to go on blogs and defend murders... And insinuate the Departed deserved to die.And to 'Bob,' this "character" as you describe him, sat ten feet from the piece of trash that shot his friend in the bac!owardice act anyone can make. he took this "character's" friend he grew up with, and would do anything for, away from him. If you wouldn't feel like strangling someone if you were in that same situation, then maybe you're the "character," Bob. Is the coral still a hot commodity these days? If only it cured ignorance along with cancer...-Russo out

u have some nerve

jose deserves to have a fair trial and steve was no innocent remember that ..... jax i'm sure u have issues your self

Bob Barefoot

Mr. Febonio showed a lot of character, to go in there cool, calm, and calculated. Who is this Mr. Pampillonia character though?

Jax

Lets hope this scumbag gets what he deserves! I am thrilled that this snake in the grass bit off more than he can chew! Now lets bring justice&hopefully bring some satisfaction to the friends&family of Mr. Febonio. Have fun w bubba Jose!