Former Sopranos Star Acquitted of Murder, Guilty of Burglary
Lillo Brancato Jr.
Lillo Brancato Jr., who played a wannabe mobster on The Sopranos, has been acquitted of second-degree murder in the 2005 shooting death of an off-duty New York City cop, the Associated Press reports.
The actor was convicted on a lesser charge of attempted burglary and could face anywhere from three to 15 years in prison. He may earn a time credit as he's been in custody for three years.
In December 2005, Brancato and his friend, Steven Armento, broke into a basement apartment they claimed was their friend's to steal a stash of prescription drugs after a night of drinking.
The next door neighbor, Officer Daniel Enchautegui, came out to investigate and was shot in the heart with a .357 Magnum by Armento.
Armento was sentenced to life in prison without parole last month.
The wounded Enchautegui managed to shoot Armento six times and Brancato twice before dying.
Brancato argued that he was unaware Armento was armed as he himself was not and did not partake in the gun battle.
His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 9.
Brancato earned his big break in Robert De Niro's A Bronx Tale in 1993 and has also appeared in Crimson Tide and The Adventures of Pluto Nash.
