Dec 23, 2008 6:12 am US/Eastern
'Sopranos' Actor Dodges NYC Officer Murder Rap
Brancato Convicted Of Attempted Burglary, Other Charges
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
-
-
Lillo Brancato Jr., 32, who appeared in the 1993 movie "A Bronx Tale" with Robert De Niro as well as in "The Sopranos," is facing second-degree murder charges.
AP
-
-
A moving memorial was held for Officer Daniel Enchautegui following his murder in December of 2005.
CBS
A former "Sopranos" actor was cleared of second-degree murder on Monday in the shooting death of an off-duty policeman during a drunken, late-night search for drugs in Bronx three years ago.
Lillo Brancato was convicted of attempted burglary, but for some that was not nearly enough.
Outside the courtroom there was muted elation from the family of Brancato, the one-time actor who played mob characters on TV and in film, now dodging a bullet after being acquitted of second degree murder.
"This was never a case that called for a victory lap," defense attorney Joseph Tacopina said. "It's not a happy occasion no matter what the verdict was because this case was all about a tragedy."
The tragedy unfolded early one December morning in 2005, when Brancato, who told the jury he was high on drugs, came to a home with a buddy looking for more. When they broke a basement window, it woke up neighbor Daniel Enchautegui, an off-duty NYPD officer who came out to investigate. He would die after exchanging gunfire with Brancato's accomplice, Steven Armento.
"This would not have happened if it wasn't for him," said Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch. "Why that was not seen is unknown."
The patrolmen's union and Enchautegui's family blasted the verdict, saying even though Armento had been convicted of killing the officer, it was Brancato's drug habit that brought them to the scene.
"I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed. The only thing that I'm not is that he's not walking out. What message is this sending out to the New York City police officers today? It's wrong," said Yolanda Rosa, the fallen officer's sister.
The former "Sopranos" actor and star in the movie "A Bronx Tale" was convicted of attempted burglary. At Brancato's home, family had nothing to say, but his lawyer called the jury's ability to set aside emotion a blessing.
"I think this will be a lesson Lillo will take to the grave," Tacopina said. "I think it'll be a watershed moment. I think he's going to capitalize on the second chance."
Brancato will be back in court next month for sentencing, and because he's not expected to get a lengthy prison term, his lawyer said the 32-year-old will still be young enough to something productive with his life after getting the help to beat his drug habit.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
2009 Celebrity Deaths
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments