Tells judge: Yes, I knifed him in heart
Thursday, August 14, 2008
By CHARLES HACK
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

An illegal immigrant charged with killing a 45-year-old man by stabbing him twice through the heart in Union City just over a year ago now faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty.

Edwardo Castillo Hernandez, of West New York, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated manslaughter before Superior Court Judge Camille Kenny yesterday afternoon.

Castillo Hernandez, 22, who is being held at Hudson County jail pending his sentencing, was on Bergenline Avenue between 45th and 46th streets at 1:14 a.m. last Aug. 11 when he knifed Luis Rodolfo Castellanos, of 48th Street, officials said.

"I think this is a fair and just resolution to the matter," said Assistant Prosecutor Leo Hernandez.

Prosecutors will be asking for a sentence of 20 years when Castillo Hernandez is sentenced on Oct. 3 by Kenny, the assistant prosecutor said.

After his release, Castillo Hernandez is to be deported.

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office contacted ICE after finding Castillo Hernandez was an undocumented Mexican national following his arrest, said Prosecutor Edward DeFazio.