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Former Sopranos actor Lillo Brancato Jr leaves prison after eight years Former Sopranos actor Lillo Brancato Jr speaks out on drug addiction
(about 4 hours later)
After spending eight years in prison, former Sopranos actor Lillo Brancato Jr said on Sunday he was now trying to help young people avoid making similar, drug-fueled mistakes.After spending eight years in prison, former Sopranos actor Lillo Brancato Jr said on Sunday he was now trying to help young people avoid making similar, drug-fueled mistakes.
"Here I am, I get the opportunity, I get the shot and then squander it, and do what I did, and get addicted to drugs and just make horrible decisions," the 37-year-old said in an interview broadcast on WNYM-AM."Here I am, I get the opportunity, I get the shot and then squander it, and do what I did, and get addicted to drugs and just make horrible decisions," the 37-year-old said in an interview broadcast on WNYM-AM.
Brancato was paroled in December 2013 after serving time for his role in a 2005 Bronx break-in that left an off-duty police officer dead. The actor, who got his break in the 1993 film A Bronx Tale, with Robert De Niro, said his last drug high was in prison in 2006.Brancato was paroled in December 2013 after serving time for his role in a 2005 Bronx break-in that left an off-duty police officer dead. The actor, who got his break in the 1993 film A Bronx Tale, with Robert De Niro, said his last drug high was in prison in 2006.
According to prosecutors in the case arising from the 2005 break-in, the actor and a Genovese crime family associate, Steven Armento, were drinking at a Bronx strip club before they tried to break into a nearby basement apartment in order to steal Valium.According to prosecutors in the case arising from the 2005 break-in, the actor and a Genovese crime family associate, Steven Armento, were drinking at a Bronx strip club before they tried to break into a nearby basement apartment in order to steal Valium.
The sound of shattering glass awoke the off-duty officer, Daniel Enchautegui, who confronted the men. A gunbattle erupted, with Armento firing first, prosecutors said.The sound of shattering glass awoke the off-duty officer, Daniel Enchautegui, who confronted the men. A gunbattle erupted, with Armento firing first, prosecutors said.
The dying officer emptied his pistol, hitting Brancato and Armento. The bloodied actor was arrested as he tried to get into his car, authorities said.The dying officer emptied his pistol, hitting Brancato and Armento. The bloodied actor was arrested as he tried to get into his car, authorities said.
Brancato was acquitted of murder but convicted of attempted burglary. Armento was convicted of firing the fatal bullet.Brancato was acquitted of murder but convicted of attempted burglary. Armento was convicted of firing the fatal bullet.
In Sunday's interview, Brancato acknowledged that some of the actors who have worked with him in the past may not be willing to do so again. He played a young mobster, Matthew Bevilacqua, on The Sopranos in 2000.In Sunday's interview, Brancato acknowledged that some of the actors who have worked with him in the past may not be willing to do so again. He played a young mobster, Matthew Bevilacqua, on The Sopranos in 2000.
But "at least, see the person that I am today, see the person that I've grown up into," he said. "I definitely had to learn the hard way, but I am no longer that person who was present that night."But "at least, see the person that I am today, see the person that I've grown up into," he said. "I definitely had to learn the hard way, but I am no longer that person who was present that night."
Authorities say he will remain under supervision through 2018. He was released to his family in Yonkers.Authorities say he will remain under supervision through 2018. He was released to his family in Yonkers.
When Brancato was released from prison, Patrick Lynch, president of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, said in statement: "This union will take any steps necessary to ensure that this miscreant follows the conditions of his parole down to the last letter."When Brancato was released from prison, Patrick Lynch, president of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, said in statement: "This union will take any steps necessary to ensure that this miscreant follows the conditions of his parole down to the last letter."
The most important thing he learned in prison, Brancato said, was "how to get through tough times" without drugs.The most important thing he learned in prison, Brancato said, was "how to get through tough times" without drugs.