Ex-Sopranos Actor Cleared of Murder

A jury's decision on Monday to clear a former actor on The Sopranos of killing a New York City policeman during a bungled 2005 burglary has left the victim's sister outraged.

"What message is this sending out to the New York City police officers today? It's wrong," Yolanda Rosa Nazario, sister of the slain officer, said of the verdict handed actor Lillo Brancato Jr., the Associated Press reports.

Convicted of a lesser charge of attempted burglary, Brancato, 32, now faces from three to 15 years in prison – though he could receive credit for time served, having already been incarcerated for nearly three years.

Prosecutors said that in December 2005 Brancato – who played a petty mobster wannabe on The Sopranos – and accomplice Steven Armento broke into a basement apartment to steal prescription drugs after a night of boozing at a strip club.

Off-duty officer Daniel Enchautegui, 28, who lived next door to the apartment, came to investigate and was hit in the heart by Armento, using a .357 Magnum. The dying Enchautegui fired back and wounded both men.

Earlier this year, Armento, 48, was convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life without parole.


Admits to Drug Problem
Brancato, who admits to having abused drugs and alcohol, claimed no knowledge of Armento's carrying a weapon. He also said he did not directly participate in the murder and was carrying no weapon, reports AP.

Brancato's attorney, Joseph Tacopina, described his client as being relieved with the jury's verdict. "There was never going to be smiles," he said. "This is not a case that warrants that."

Brancato's sentencing is set for Jan. 9. District Attorney Robert T. Johnson said he would seek "the maximum sentence that the law allows."

Re: Ex-Sopranos Actor Cleared of Murder

I used to be friendly with him

he has/had a major drug problem

if we would have stayed friends- he could have come to my wedding that night instead of this

I hope he changes his life now that he has been given a second chance....

Re: Ex-Sopranos Actor Cleared of Murder

This p*sses me off. 3-15 yrs for killing a COP?? Makes no difference to me that he didn't have a gun, he was THERE and whatever went down he's just as guilty as the shooter. It's DISGUSTING to me that theoretically he could WALK now that he's served 3 years. POS.

Re: Ex-Sopranos Actor Cleared of Murder

The man who DID shoot and kill that poor man was sentenced to life, right? -
I don't know how you could justify sending this jerkoff of prison for life as well, he didn't kill anyone........was he thre, yes, was he involved, of course, was any of it RIGHT? No -
But lawfully, he didn't kill anyone -

I still hope they give him the max ........

Re: Ex-Sopranos Actor Cleared of Murder

I remember this night, it happened near my old apartment in the Bronx. My DH (then SO) was leaving for work and saw all the commotion. He called me and told me to lock the doors and windows because "it's like a cop waas killed or something." He was so right.

Re: Ex-Sopranos Actor Cleared of Murder