Defense witness testified in “Sopranos” actor Lillo Brancato’s case on Friday

 Last Friday, “Sopranos” actor Lillo Brancato appeared in a New York City court for murdering a police officer three years ago.

Three years ago, Lillo Brancato was arrested and charged with murdering NY City police officer Daniel Enchautegui, after a failed attempt to rob a Bronx, NY drug dealer’s apartment.

On the night of December 10^th, 2005, police Officer Daniel Enchautegui heard the sound of breaking glass coming from his next-door neighbor Kenny Scovotti’s apartment, who had passed away four months earlier.  In an attempt to see what was going on, officer Enchautegui went to Scovotti’s apartment, and that was when Brancato and Steven Armento  shot and killed him.

Charlie Magner, a defense witness and drug addict friend of Brancato, testified in court on Friday that, Brancato was a junkie who was always on the prowl for prescription drugs. He would let himself him Scovotti’s home through the garage door.  However, on December 10^th, 2005, he tried to let himself through the garbage door but it was locked.  He banged on the door yelling “Kenny” and when Kenny did not come to the door, he broke a window to let himself in.  Prosecutor in the case states that Brancato was wearing latex gloves.

According to defense attorney, although his client was a drug addict, he did not enter Scovotti ‘s apartment to rob him, he went there to purchase drugs. Under state law, Brancato cannot be convicted of murder unless the jury believes he was burglarizing the apartment.