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'Sopranos' Actor Takes Stand At Murder Trial

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Dec 15, 2008 12:23 pm US/Eastern

'Sopranos' Actor Takes Stand At Murder Trial

Lillo Brancato Jr. Says He Didn't Know An Alleged Accomplice Was Armed

Charged With Second-Degree Murder In 2005 Death Of Officer Daniel Enchautegui

NEW YORK (CBS) ― A former "Sopranos" actor accused in the shooting death of a New York City police officer says he didn't know an alleged accomplice was armed when he came to a Bronx home looking for drugs.

Lillo Brancato is testifying at his murder trial Monday. He says he was suffering from heroin withdrawals before he went to the home of a Vietnam veteran who had given him drugs in the past. He testified, "Mentally, I was a mess. I needed something."

The 32-year-old Brancato is charged with second-degree murder in the 2005 shooting death of Officer Daniel Enchautegui.

Prosecutors say the officer was shot while Brancato and Steven Armento were breaking into the apartment. Brancato testified that he did not know Armento, his ex-girlfriend's father, had a gun when they went to the apartment.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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