Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau announced today that a 20-year-old Brooklyn man pleaded guilty to the murder of a female actor/director in her Greenwich Village apartment.

DIEGO PILLCO pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, a B Felony, in New York State Supreme Court, Part 71, before Judge Carol Berkman. In exchange for his plea, the defendant will be sentenced to a determinate 25 years in prison and five years post-release supervision. PILLCO also waived his right to appeal. The sentencing date will be in March 2008.

In court today, PILLCO admitted that on November 1, 2006 at 15 Abingdon Square, he rode up in the elevator with the victim, Adrienne Levine (Shelly). The defendant noticed that the victim was carrying a big black purse and observed what floor button she pressed. PILLCO rode up one extra floor in the elevator and walked down the stairs to Levine’s floor. The door to Levine’s apartment was ajar; the defendant entered, saw the black bag, and took out her wallet. The victim confronted him and reached for the phone to call the police. PILLCO grabbed the phone and a fight ensued. The defendant further admitted that he covered the victim’s mouth and nose with his hand until she passed out. He then took a sheet, choked her to death, and made it look like a suicide.

Assistant District Attorneys Paula Milazzo and Peter Casolaro, Senior Trial Counsel are in charge of the prosecution.

DIEGO PILLCO, 4/08/87
328 Prospect Avenue
Brooklyn, NY

 

###