Cop's Murderer Is Sentenced to Life Without Parole

A Bronx judge Nov. 3 sentenced a cop-killer to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Steven Armento, who was convicted of first-degree murder for shooting Police Officer Daniel Enchautegui, was given the maximum sentence allowed Nov. 13 by State Supreme Court Justice Martin Marcus.

Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Patrick J. Lynch said, "Steven Armento is the type of animal for whom the death penalty was invented. His miserable life has only been spared by the inability of this state to pass a viable death penalty. Life without parole is the next best thing."

DA Praises Fallen Officer

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson said, "While this sentence is most appropriate and will protect society from further danger by this unremorseful killer, nothing we do can ever compensate for the terrible void felt by Officer Enchautegui's grieving family and friends. As I said several weeks ago, after the verdict was announced, we owe them our gratitude for this officer's years of service to all who live and work in The Bronx."

Police Officer Enchautegui, who was off-duty, was shot to death on Dec. 10, 2005, after leaving his home to investigate a burglary at a neighbor's house in the Pelham Bay section of The Bronx, not far from where he worked in the 40th Precinct.

After less than six hours of deliberations, Mr. Armento was found to have "acted with intent to cause the death" of Mr. Enchautegui. A second defendant, Lilo Brancato, 32, an actor who starred in "A Bronx Tale," goes on trial this week on charge of second-degree murder in the case.