Post by mikedimone on Dec 30, 2013 21:43:45 GMT -5
Felonious “Sopranos” actor Lillo Brancato will ring in the New Year a free man after serving little more than eight years in the slammer for his role in the fatal shooting of an off-duty cop, The Post has learned.
The sister of slain NYPD cop Daniel Enchautegui said she was notified that Brancato, 37, would be released from an upstate prison Tuesday after being granted parole earlier this month.
“I’m still upset that he was not convicted of the murder, and that he did not serve enough time,” Yolanda Rosa said.
“I don’t know how I will feel tomorrow when he is free, walking on the streets, while my brother will not.”
Brancato was convicted of attempted burglary — but beat a murder rap that could have sent him away for life — for trying to break into a friend’s house in The Bronx to steal drugs when accomplice Steven Armento shot Enchategui in the chest.
The cop, who lived nearby, called 911 after hearing Brancato kick out a window, then went to investigate.
Despite being mortally wounded, he managed to shoot back and wound both drug-addled crooks.
Rosa said she was told that Brancato had been a “model prisoner” behind bars.
“Well, he wasnt a model citizen before — we’ll see if he’s a model citizen after he gets out,” she added.
Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association trustee Joe Anthony was outraged by Brancato’s early release.
“I sat in the courtroom everyday with the family while that smug punk smiled and laughed at them,” he said.
“I hope someone taught him respect in prison.”
Brancato was sentenced to ten years for his crime, and was initially set for release in July.
But online records show he had a parole hearing scheduled this month at which he was apparently granted his freedom.
The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Web site lists his earliest release date as Wednesday, and it was unclear why Rosa was told he’d be getting out before that.
A DOCCS spokesman didn’t return requests for comment.
PBA president Patrick J. Lynch said:
“It is our firm belief that Lilo Brancato is guilty of the murder of police officer Daniel Enchautequi even though he was only convicted of attempted burglary. Even while incarcerated, this lowlife thug showed his true colors when he beat up a fellow inmate who wouldn’t get off a pay phone quickly enough.
“As the system prepares to release him on parole, this union will take any steps necessary to ensure that this miscreant follows the conditions of his parole down to the last letter. The entire law enforcement community will be watching and the minute he steps out of line, we’ll be sure that he is returned to prison to finish out the rest of his sentence.”
The sister of slain NYPD cop Daniel Enchautegui said she was notified that Brancato, 37, would be released from an upstate prison Tuesday after being granted parole earlier this month.
“I’m still upset that he was not convicted of the murder, and that he did not serve enough time,” Yolanda Rosa said.
“I don’t know how I will feel tomorrow when he is free, walking on the streets, while my brother will not.”
Brancato was convicted of attempted burglary — but beat a murder rap that could have sent him away for life — for trying to break into a friend’s house in The Bronx to steal drugs when accomplice Steven Armento shot Enchategui in the chest.
The cop, who lived nearby, called 911 after hearing Brancato kick out a window, then went to investigate.
Despite being mortally wounded, he managed to shoot back and wound both drug-addled crooks.
Rosa said she was told that Brancato had been a “model prisoner” behind bars.
“Well, he wasnt a model citizen before — we’ll see if he’s a model citizen after he gets out,” she added.
Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association trustee Joe Anthony was outraged by Brancato’s early release.
“I sat in the courtroom everyday with the family while that smug punk smiled and laughed at them,” he said.
“I hope someone taught him respect in prison.”
Brancato was sentenced to ten years for his crime, and was initially set for release in July.
But online records show he had a parole hearing scheduled this month at which he was apparently granted his freedom.
The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Web site lists his earliest release date as Wednesday, and it was unclear why Rosa was told he’d be getting out before that.
A DOCCS spokesman didn’t return requests for comment.
PBA president Patrick J. Lynch said:
“It is our firm belief that Lilo Brancato is guilty of the murder of police officer Daniel Enchautequi even though he was only convicted of attempted burglary. Even while incarcerated, this lowlife thug showed his true colors when he beat up a fellow inmate who wouldn’t get off a pay phone quickly enough.
“As the system prepares to release him on parole, this union will take any steps necessary to ensure that this miscreant follows the conditions of his parole down to the last letter. The entire law enforcement community will be watching and the minute he steps out of line, we’ll be sure that he is returned to prison to finish out the rest of his sentence.”
