BRONX MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING HIS FIANCÉ AND ATTEMPTING TO MURDER HER MOTHER

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today the murder conviction of a 26 year old man in the stabbing death, nearly two years ago of his fiancé, Vanessa Reynoso, 21.

Rafael Castro was found guilty of one count of Murder in the 2nd degree, one count of Attempted Murder in the 2nd degree, and two counts of Endangering the welfare of a child.

The jury found that Castro stabbed Reynoso numerous times in the head and neck and struck the deceased woman’s mother, Miriam Rivas, 50, in the head causing serious physical injury. The brutal stabbing and assault occurred in Reynoso’s apartment in the presence of the defendant’s daughters who were six years old and eighteen months old when their mother was killed on May 13, 2004. It took the jury less than one full day of deliberations to convict Castro, who fled to the Dominican Republic after murdering the mother of his children.

Acting State Supreme Court Justice Judith Lieb set sentencing for Wednesday, May 17, 2006 in Part 26. Castro is facing a maximum terms of up to 25 years to life imprisonment on the murder charge and up to 25 years imprisonment on the attempted murder charge. Endangering the welfare of a child is punishable by a maximum sentence of up to one year in jail on each count. Castro could be sent to state prison for a maximum term of 50 years to life imprisonment if he is sentenced to serve consecutive terms.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney David Birnbaum, Trial Counsel, Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Peter Coddington, Chief Appellate Attorney.