He was on remand awaiting trial for the murder of his stepson, but, 45 year-old Patrick Castillo has been set free. Justice Colin Williams found him not guilty yesterday at the conclusion of his trial without jury.
In April of 2015, a gruesome scene played out at Castillo’s residence on Kut Avenue. Castillo was covered in blood after he chopped his stepson, 21 year-old Jose Maderas to death. He claimed self-defense, while the prosecution argued that he was responding in a rage after his stepson called him a black pedophile. Â
One of Madera’s sisters, who is also Castillo’s step-daughter testified that her Castillo responded to the insult by chopping Maderas with a machete. She says he delivered the final chop wound to Maderas while he was sitting on the ground.
Castillo testified and told the court that Maderas went into his room shirtless and appeared to have been drinking. He said Maderas began to insult him, and punched him. Castillo said he grabbed a machete, hoping that it would scare off Maderas. But instead, he claimed Maderas advanced towards him, and punched him in his face. Castillo said that while he was backing up, he swung the machete twice at Maderas.
Castillo's daughter, Patricia Castillo, testified on his behalf and corroborated her father's testimony.
Castillo’s defense attorney, Richard “Dickie†Bradley submitted that he acted in self-defense.
After consideration, Justice Williams weighed the two witness testimonies, and in the end, he rejected the prosecution’s main witness’ account of the incident.
The judge ruled that the issue of provocation was evident, and it was only the final injury was done with force. Maderas was chopped to his scalp, his back, his left forearm and his neck. Dr. Mario Estradabran testified that it was the injury to his neck that resulted in his death.
Justice Williams said that a person in defense of himself is entitled to a pre-emptive strike and that in Castillo's case it was a case of self defense. With that, the judge acquitted Castillo, setting him free.
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