Lillo Brancato, an actor who appeared in The Sopranos and once made a movie with Robert De Niro, has been released from prison after being convicted for his role in a police officer’s murder.
Brancato was convicted in 2008 for attempted burglary, although he was not convicted of murder, reports The New York Post. In 2005, he and a friend tried to break into a Bronx apartment to steal drugs. Officer Daniel Enchautegui heard the break in and shot at both men, injuring them. Brancato’s friend shot Enchautegui, whose sister was angered by Brancato’s release.
“I went to sleep thinking about this,” Yolanda Rosa told The New York Daily News. “I’m disappointed that’s he’s out. He was equally responsible for my brother’s death. I knew this day was going to come, and now it’s here, you know? I’m just disappointed.”
Brancato had been sentenced to 10 years in prison by a judge and that sentence included his time behind bars during the trial. He was released early only because he made a deal with the parole board to take five years’ parole and agreed to a 10 p.m. curfew.
Brancato was discovered by De Niro and appeared in A Bronx Tale in 1993 with the legendary actor. However, his drug problem derailed his career. He tried to make a comeback with a stint on The Sopranos, which only lasted a few episodes before James Gandolfini’s character executed his.
With that being said, this will be my last tweet from prison. Thank you for your love and support. I love you all!
— Lillo Brancato (@lillobrancato) December 30, 2013
image: Wikimedia Commons