Benedetto Cipriani
Benedetto Cipriani was arrested in a small town outside of Rome, Italy this week. I know that his name is meaningless to most, if not all, of my readers. Earlier this year, I began representing a young man -- I emphasize young, since he is still only 20 years old -- by the name of Michael Castillo. Michael is accused of driving his friend Jose Guzman in his Nissan Pathfinder to what became the scene of a triple homicide in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. It is alleged by the State of Connecticut that Cipriani was the “mastermind” behind the plot, that Cipriani had hired another young Hispanic man to hit one of the eventual victims so that Cipriani would be free to have his way with the victim’s wife. The plan worked. The victim was killed, execution style, in auto garage along with two co-workers. It was a shocking crime in a small community. The State has already advised us (See my blog entry for 4/9/2004 where I explain the probable cause hearing conducted for the other three defendants) that they are seeking the death penalty against Castillo and the others.
Cipriani, the State claims, has been on the run in his native country of Italy. He was found, but the Connecticut authorities never moved in because of Italy’s position on capital punishment. Apparently, as long as Cipriani faced death, Italy would not approve extradition. The law enforcement stalemate ended when the State agreed to drop the charge of capital felony against Cipriani in return for his return to the United States.
The “deal” means that the State of Connecticut may be forced to drop its pursuit of death against my client and at least one if not both of the other two men charged in the crime. If the State does not seek death against the man who devised and set the entire scheme in motion, can they reasonably seek death against a kid who drove the car that brought the gunman to the scene? It seems unlikely, but it remains to be seen. Stay tuned. An article appears in today's Manchester Journal-Inquirer that outlines some of the background for the case and the State's new arrest. No death penalty sought: State hopes to expedite Windsor Locks murder suspect's extradition
Florida won’t execute juveniles?
It appears that Florida might have entered the 21st Century after all. A bill has been proposed that would make it unlawful for the State to execute boys and girls who have not reached the age of 18. The time left in the legislative session may work against the approval and passage of this bill, but the statement made by the proposal itself is a major step in the right direction. My congratulations to the Sunshine State.
1:34:56 PM 
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