Smithtown man stabs relative with makeshift spear, threatens to hurt child hiding in closet, DA says

A Smithtown man faces attempted murder and burglary charges for allegedly breaking into a family member’s St. James home, repeatedly stabbing the victim with a makeshift spear and a pair of scissors, and then strangling them into unconsciousness.

The alleged attacked took place while the victim’s young child hid in a nearby closet.

Daniel Spector, 42, was arraigned Wednesday before Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei on 11 counts stemming from the May 28 attack. He was ordered held without bail and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.

Prosecutors said Spector went to the victim’s home that Thursday morning in violation of a court-issued order of protection. He allegedly kicked open the front door, forced his way into the victim’s bedroom as the victim tried to barricade the door, and stabbed them multiple times in the chest, arms, and legs with a weapon he allegedly fashioned from a broomstick with a sharp metal object attached.

Spector then allegedly grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed the victim in the face before strangling them (police did not identify the gender of the victim) and dragging them into another room, where he pressed his shin against their neck until they lost consciousness, authorities said.

The victim’s mother stepped in when Spector allegedly began dragging the victim toward a staircase in what prosecutors described as an apparent attempt to throw them down the stairs.

Throughout the attack, Spector allegedly threatened to kill the victim and to harm the victim’s child.

Spector fled the home after the victim’s mother intervened. She called 911, and Suffolk County police caught Spector a few blocks away. The victim was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital.

It’s unclear how Spector, formerly of St. James, is related to the victim. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office is not naming the victim or specifying the familial relationship in order to protect the identities of the victim and their child.

“The viciousness that this defendant allegedly showed toward a family member, especially with a minor hiding nearby, is appalling,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said. “Domestic violence will never be tolerated. We will vigorously prosecute this case and hold the defendant accountable for his alleged crimes.”

Spector was charged with second-degree attempted murder, two counts of first-degree burglary, first-degree attempted assault, second-degree assault, second-degree strangulation, aggravated criminal contempt, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree criminal contempt, and endangering the welfare of a child.

He is due back in court July 14.

Top: GLI file photo