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Mark Small, age 57, of Elmont, was found guilty of murder and related charges in Nassau County Court on Thursday, Sept. 26, in the death of 39-year-old Marivel Estevez.
Prosecutors said Small entered Estevez’s penthouse apartment at the Allure Mineola apartment complex on Old Country Road sometime overnight on July 28, 2022.
He then went to her bedroom, where he shot her with a handgun once in the arm and once in the head. He fled in Estevez’ car with her dog, Tuffy.
Estevez’ Coworkers called 911 after she failed to show up for her management job at the same apartment complex. Nassau County Police found her dead on her bed.
An investigation found that Small was angry after learning that Estevez wanted to break up with him and begin a new life outside of New York, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.
Small was arrested on Aug. 2, 2022, at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. He was treated at the facility after being struck by a car while chasing Estevez' dog, which had escaped from him on the Long Island Expressway.
“Marivel was violently killed in what should have been a sacred space – her own home – because the defendant could not accept that she wanted a fresh start outside of New York and away from him,” Donnelly said.
After deliberating for nearly five hours, jurors found Small guilty of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
“We thank the jury for their verdict finding this defendant guilty of murdering Marivel and we hope that this conviction provides her family with a sense of justice.”
According to investigators, Small was a failed restaurateur who once operated a business in Rockville Centre.
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