Virginia – Trial begins for IT executive charged with wife’s murder

Braulio Castillo, former chief executive of Strong Castle Inc., was charged on April 2, 2014 with first degree murder for killing his wife, Michelle Castillo, who was found dead in her home. Castillo’s lawyers said in their opening statements that his wife committed suicide. However, law enforcement officials said Michelle Castillo was found in what looked like a staged suicide, after being beaten and suffocated. The defense argued the bruising on Castillo’s face was consistent with those found on someone who had committed suicide, and that experts would testify that her death was a suicide. In March 2013, Michelle Castillo had also filed for a protected order against Braulio Castillo.