SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. — April 16, 2025 — A previously convicted felon was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years in prison after a Suffolk County jury found him guilty of a brutal 2023 robbery and stabbing of a funeral home owner in Amityville.
Jason Funderburke, 39, of Hempstead, was convicted in March on four felony charges, including robbery in the first degree, after prosecutors said he and an accomplice ambushed the business owner outside his funeral home on Aug. 29, 2023.
According to trial evidence, the attack occurred around 11:30 a.m. when the victim was approached outside the business. Funderburke and the accomplice showed him a photo of his family and demanded money at knifepoint. When the victim refused, they stabbed him twice and took his wallet and phones before fleeing.
The injured victim was rushed to Good Samaritan University Hospital where he was treated for internal bleeding and stab wounds.
“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,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said. “This sentence will ensure that defendant Funderburke is no longer able to hurt our residents.”
Career criminal sentenced for violent attack
Funderburke was found guilty of one count of first-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree robbery, and one count of second-degree assault following a jury trial before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei on March 12.
The defendant’s criminal history includes three prior felony convictions: a 2007 conviction for second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and two 2004 convictions for third-degree robbery and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Justice Mazzei imposed the 25-year sentence in Riverhead. Funderburke was represented at trial by attorney Chase Brown.
Key Points
- Jason Funderburke was sentenced to 25 years for a 2023 robbery and stabbing outside an Amityville funeral home.
- The attack involved threats against the victim’s family and theft of personal property.
- Funderburke has three prior felony convictions dating back to 2004.
