Trial Continues In Case Of TV Journalist Killed In NYC Hotel Room
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Testimony continued Wednesday in the trial of a Portuguese male model accused of murdering his lover in a Manhattan hotel room.
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In the week before television journalist Carlos Castro, 65, was allegedly brutally murdered by his young lover, Renato Seabra, then 21, a witness said he showered the male model with gifts, handed out $100 bills as they gambled in Atlantic City, and took him on shopping trips.
Castro's best friend, Wanda Pires, testified that she was with them that whole week and they seemed happy together, affectionate, sharing their food in restaurants.
Seabra told her Castro was the best thing that ever happened to him.
Then came the sudden breakup when Seabra decided to step out and meet girls. He allegedly told a hurt and angry Castro he was no longer gay and didn't want to be with him.
Pires said she called Castro the day he was killed and he said he and Seabra were going home a week early and that he was afraid of Seabra.
Pires said she asked Castro why he was going to travel with Seabra when he treated him like trash.
Castro was found castrated and bludgeoned to death in his room at the InterContinental Hotel near Times Square on January 7, 2011.
Pires also said she never heard Seabra talk about demons or the devil or evil in the world, which is what he told homicide detectives that Castro represented.
