Sentencing Today For Former Police Inspector Daniel Castro
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - This is sentencing day for 48-year-old former Philadelphia Police Inspector Daniel Castro. The man who wanted to be police commissioner pleaded guilty in connection with one extortion attempt and he was convicted of lying to the FBI about another extortion attempt.
The prosecution has recommended a sentence of about three years in prison, while the defense has told the court a prison sentence for Daniel Castro would be an unspeakable tragedy.
Castro himself said after his guilty plea that he has already suffered, "I lost my job. I lost my career. In essence, I lost my future. Now the government wants my liberty. I am at the liberty right now -- at the mercy of the court, and I am clear as I am now that the judge and the court will make the right decision, in terms of my liberty."
During trial, in almost unforgettable tearful testimony, Castro made his case to the jury: "You're making me look like a crook. I am not a crook. I am a good guy."
The defense argued at trial and Castro maintained in an interview even after the conviction and guilty plea, that he was manipulated by a friend working with the FBI.
"On 9-10, all right, I made a mistake. That is a date that the public record shows that I fell. I mean, you know, I was entrapped. But clearly I owned up to it and I paid for it."
Now the trial judge will determine if he has paid enough.
Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio 1060
