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Celebrity Justice
"Sopranos" Actor Beats Murder Rap

Posted Dec 22nd 2008 5:36PM by TMZ Staff

Lillo Brancato, who played Matt Bevilaqua on "The Sopranos," was acquitted of second degree murder today in the 2005 shooting of an off-duty police officer.

Brancato was convicted on a lesser charge of attempted burglary. He faces a minimum of three years -- but since he's been in jail for nearly that long already, he could get credit for time served.

Brancato's accomplice, Steven Armento, was convicted earlier this year of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

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16. Congratulations! You're white, so naturally you're innocent!

Happy White Privilege Day everybody!

Posted at 8:43PM on Dec 22nd 2008 by Campy

17. sickofidiots is a poser and INDY is a total shi&hole. Go get a real town before you threaten people you stupid hick. This guy did nothing wrong, he was out having some fun and the guy he was with killed someone. What did he do? Nothing, so go back to your hick dump and stay there. Kid is a good kid, just has a bit of a drug issue. He will clear it up.

Posted at 9:04PM on Dec 22nd 2008 by sick of sick of you

18. I loved Bronx Tale and the Sopranos - but Ive never read the article , # 14 please tell where you saw this if you remember.
Im sorry for his mom , but he has been given a chance all actors would give their right arm for, and for me he should get life.

A man , NYPD , died because this a**h**l wanted valium.

Exile island in the prison OZ, for life.

OK,Im done.......

Posted at 9:15PM on Dec 22nd 2008 by Buttercup321

19. AYYYYYY! Go figyah....what a Douchechill. (Look it up, Monkey Breath.)

Posted at 9:25PM on Dec 22nd 2008 by Joey Fingers

20. Uh...a bit of a "Drug Issue" ?? Listen, Dumbo, people are killed every day by people with a bit of a "Drug Issue". Educate Thyself, Igboobala.

Posted at 9:28PM on Dec 22nd 2008 by Martha Stewart

21. He will go down for something else,
There is no turning back now from where he has gone, even if he is set free he wont walk free for long and he will never be free from his own stupidity, He has the word loser written on his forehead.

And.... to the person above who is glad he is out because they feel he is cute, you might want to think about getting yourself some self esteem & self worth

Posted at 9:53PM on Dec 22nd 2008 by Jenny

22.
Re # 16 Congratulations! You're white, so naturally you're innocent!
Happy White Privilege Day everybody!

Posted at 8:43PM on Dec 22nd 2008 by Campy

-----------------------------
Lillo Brancato, lmao
You need to come out of your programmed self pity and canned justifications dude, your lookin silly.

Posted at 10:00PM on Dec 22nd 2008 by Vinny

23. Ummmm, he didn't pull the trigger and he didn't provide the gun. The guy who did is serving life! I don't believe in guilty by association and I sure think he got what he deserved, a MINIMUM of 3 years for being there and running away. All of you sitting here pulling the race card or saying justice wasn't served apparently hasn't been following this case, morons!

Posted at 11:09PM on Dec 22nd 2008 by Amber Marie

24. And another thing, the only reason he was charged with murder was because it was a cop, if it would have been anyone else on the street he would have gotten exactly what he got!

Posted at 11:16PM on Dec 22nd 2008 by Amber Marie

25. the little dirtbag wop should have received 18 to life for accessory to murder...especially for the murder of a law enforcement officer..what a shame...but he will be back.

Posted at 11:48PM on Dec 22nd 2008 by maggot

26. Lillo has been truly blessed with talent, opportunity, and the love of the common people. Thanks to those who prayed for him. Lets continue to pray for Lillos' future as a role model and friend to the little Guido. We to may someday need to say"I didn't know my junkie friend, who I've been with for the last 4 hours, had a gun on him." and a have a group of people so stupid, they couldn't get out of jury duty, believe it. Lord, hear my prayer. Please have Lillo OD, or get caught stealing from another prisoner and get shanked. Allah, hear my prayer. Please let Lillo harm another innocent, preferably a relative of his.
Merry Ramadanukkah.

Posted at 12:10AM on Dec 23rd 2008 by AL

27. I guess in NY they do this differently. Here in GA he would have gotten the same sentence as the trigger man, if EITHER of there were lucky enough to make it to trial. Killing cops here, will get you killed, & I'm not talking about "the needle"

Posted at 12:13AM on Dec 23rd 2008 by WOW

28. let's all move on 1 did get life.

Posted at 9:37AM on Dec 25th 2008 by big joe

29. I have always thought he was a handsome and lucky person. I felt so bad that he turned to a life of crime and addiction. Hopefully he can make a difference now that he has been given a second chance. I hope to see him in the future

Posted at 10:45PM on Jan 5th 2009 by colleen

30. I am glad he got off. Finally one for the the home team. After all these cops, kill all these people (Sean Bell) and they get off no problem. Or how about how they beat the crap out of people for no reason. NYC police aint nothing to f--k with. I have seen to much stuff living in Brooklyn. And besides Lillo wasnt the one who pulled the trigger. I happy, Merry X-Mas

Posted at 9:27AM on Dec 23rd 2008 by Jade

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