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A Farmingville man accused of fatally stabbing his estranged wife inside her home — an attack prosecutors say unfolded in front of the couple’s teenage daughter — has been indicted by a Suffolk County grand jury.
Marcos Leal, 57, pleaded not guilty Monday to second-degree murder, first-degree burglary, aggravated criminal contempt and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the Feb. 12 killing of 46-year-old Adriana Barbosa.
As Greater Long Island previously reported, the slaying sent shockwaves through the community, prompting an outpouring of support for Barbosa’s teenage daughters, including a fundraising campaign organized by family friends.
“The charges in this indictment reflect a horrifying act of domestic violence that claimed the life of an innocent woman and forever changed the life of a child who witnessed it,” said Suffolk District Attorney Raymond Tierney, announcing the indictment.
Court records allege that Leal went to Barbosa’s residence about 8:15 p.m. on the night of the attack, despite an active Family Court order of protection prohibiting him from being there.
Prosecutors said he first tried to enter through a locked side door and attempted to kick it in. When that failed, he allegedly went to the rear deck, picked up a large planter and threw it through a sliding glass door to gain entry.
Barbosa and her 16-year-old daughter ran to a bedroom and locked the door while the teen called 911, authorities said. Leal allegedly forced his way in and, armed with a knife, lunged at Barbosa.
The daughter placed herself between her mother and father in an attempt to protect her mom, prosecutors said. Reaching over the teen, Marques Leal allegedly stabbed Barbosa multiple times in the head, neck and body, causing her death.
The teen suffered defensive wounds to her hands.
Leal ultimately stabbed himself in the neck and abdomen.
When responding officers arrived at the home, they found all three inside the bedroom with varying degrees of injuries. Each of the family members were taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where Barbosa was pronounced dead.
“No family should endure such terror, and no child should carry the trauma of seeing a parent killed before their eyes,” Tierney said. “We will pursue justice with unwavering determination, while keeping the victims at the center of this case.”
Leal, a Brazilian national and lawful permanent resident of the United States, was ordered held without bail by Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro. He faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the second-degree murder charge.
He is due back in court March 25.
Prior coverage
Top: (at left, courtesy of the Suffolk Sheriff’s Office) Marcos Leal, 57, is accused of killing his estranged wife Adriana Barbosa, 46 (Facebook), and then stabbing himself during an alleged Feb. 12 attack at the woman’s Farmingville home.
