By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — A former barber shop owner convicted of murdering the shop's new boss when he opened fire in the crowded storefront in broad daylight was sentenced to 105 years to life in prison on Wednesday.
Eddy Espinal, 44, could not pay rent and lost his Washington Heights barber shop to its new owners, so he sought revenge with a .357 revolver, killing owner Julio Ernesto Filpo and injuring co-owner Franklin Radney on Oct. 9, 2005, a jury decided in May.
The shop was crowded with customers, including two children, and the new owners when an armed Espinal barged in, prosecutors said.
"[The owners] were living the American dream — they had started with nothing and created a successful business," Assistant District Attorney Thomas Schiels said Wednesday at Espinal's sentencing.
"The defendant, in a matter of moments, ended that dream," he said.
Although eyewitnesses in the barber shop and on the street, including a police officer on foot patrol, identified him, the convicted killer maintained his innocence when offered the chance to address the court.
"This is a setback to my victory because I'm innocent," he said through an interpreter.
His attorney, Daniel Gotlin, wished to use a psychiatric defense at trial but did not have his client's permission, which is required by state law.
Gotlin said his client had a clean record and was a hard worker before his life took a tailspin.
"He was a work-a-holic, he loved to work," Gotlin said. "When he lost his business, he lost his mind."
Espinal plans to appeal the case and will soon file a formal notice, Gotlin said.
