OFFICE OF THE STATE’S ATTORNEY

FOR

BALTIMORE CITY

 

208 THE CLARENCE M. MITCHELL, JR. COURTHOUSE

 

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND  21202

 

Patricia C. Jessamy                                                                                                                                                 Phone

   State’s Attorney

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

 

For Information Contact:            Margaret T. Burns

                                                            Chief, Communications & Governmental Affairs

Office (443) 984-1121 or Cell Phone (443) 474-7479

                                                                        Or

                                                Joseph Sviatko, Public Information Officer

                                                Office (443) 984-1122 or Cell (410) 790-3248

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

STATE FILES NOTICE TO SEEK LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE IN MARK CASTILLO CASE

 

            Baltimore, MD – May 30, 2008 – Today the State filed formal written notice of its intent to seek an enhanced penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole in the case of Mark Castillo, 42, of Rockville, MD.

 

            Under Maryland law, the State must file notice of its intention to seek enhanced penalties 30 days or more before the first trial date; his trial date is Aug. 22, 2008.  A decision as to whether or not to file for the death penalty has not been made at this time. That decision will be made by State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy.  She is reviewing all the pertinent court papers in this case and is also awaiting the court medical evaluation.  There is no timeline other than meeting the 30-day requirement as mandated by law.

 

            The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Castillo April 28, 2008 on three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of child abuse resulting in death. Castillo was arraigned on May 19, 2008 before the Honorable Timothy J. Doory. Castillo entered a not guilty plea and his attorney filed an NCR motion (Not Criminally Responsible) with the court requesting a court medical evaluation.

 

            Court documents allege on March 30, 2008, Mark Castillo drowned his three children Anthony Castillo, 6, Austin Castillo, 4, and Athena Castillo, 2, in the bathtub of the Marriott Hotel in downtown Baltimore City.

 

Castillo remains held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center.  Assistant State’s Attorney and Chief of the Felony Family Violence Division Julie Drake will prosecute this case.

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