Jury delivers split verdict in Castro extortion case

A Philadelphia jury has found former city police inspector Daniel Castro, charged with corruption in a shakedown scheme, guilty of one count of lying to the FBI and not guilty of one count of extortion. The jury was deadlocked on eight other charges in the verdict it returned Wednesday afternoon.

A number of jurors, who said they felt bad for Castro, believed he was a victim of entrapment.

Castro’s attorney, Brian McMonagle, said it’s a bittersweet day.

“They took a man who had 25 years of dedicated service to the system, and they took his life away. So there was never going to be any victory, but I hope it brings some finality,” he said. “It’s my prayer that they will end this and let this man get on with the rest of his life.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis Lappen said the next step isn’t certain,

“We go back, and we decide what we’re going to do next. We have to go back and talk about it and review our options and go from there.”

One juror said while she didn’t think Castro was a saint, she also didn’t believe he was a criminal.