Almost three years after off-duty police officer Daniel Enchautegui was killed, after trying to stop a robbery next to his home in the Bronx, one of his accused killers' trial begins. Steven Armento and Lillo Brancato, on the prowl for drugs, had been trying to break into a house when Enchautegui intervened; though shot by Armento, Enchautegui, 28, managed to shoot both men. Yesterday, Armento's lawyer said it was the cop's fault, for not properly identifying himself, but prosecutors said the slain cop did ID himself and told them not to move. The defense also told the jury that a prosecution witness (from the NYPD) would "lie to you." Patrolmen's Benevolent Association president Patrick Lynch said, "[Armento] deserves a defense, but they’re not entitled to make fiction into fact. I’ve never been so insulted in a courtroom by that animal’s defense."
Published Oct 16, 2008
Modified Oct 16, 2008
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2023. Donate today
