BRONX MAN IS FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 23 year-old Bronx man has been convicted of murder in the stabbing death of a 27 year-old Bronx man in July 2001.

A jury found Roberto Castellano, of 935 E. 163rd Street, guilty of Murder in the 2nd degree, "in a manner evincing a depraved indifference to human life", in the death of Rolando Guttierez. Castellano faces a maximum of 25 years to life imprisonment when he appears before State Supreme Court Justice Caesar Cirigliano for sentencing on Thursday, November 4, 2004, in Part T5.

Co-defendant Jesus Flores, 26, of 775 Union Avenue, pled guilty on October 7, 2004, to Manslaughter in the 1st degree. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Flores will receive a determinate term of 11 years imprisonment when he appears for sentencing on Monday, October 25, 2004 in Part T5.

The fatal stabbing occurred in the early morning hours of July 1, 2001, as Guttierez and his cousin Roberto Ramirez exited a restaurant on 154th Street and Melrose Avenue and were confronted by the defendants, who demanded that Guttierez & Ramirez hand over their wallets. After exchanging a few words, a fight ensued and Guttierez was stabbed six times.

Assistant District Attorney Edward Dondes of the Trial Division is prosecuting this case.