PBA President Patrick J. Lynch led scores of off-duty New York City police officers into a Bronx courtroom almost every day of the two-week trial of junkie Steven Armento in the Dec. 10, 2005, killing of P.O. Daniel Enchautegui. On Oct. 30, 2008, Officer Enchautegui’s family and his blue-line-ofsupport received a measure of justice: In the second day of deliberations, the jury convicted Armento of first-degree murder. On Nov. 13, he received the maximum sentence of life without parole.

"Steven Armento is the type of animal for whom the death penalty was invented," said Lynch "His miserable life has only been spared by the inability of this state to pass a viable death penalty. Life without parole, while locking this mutant behind bars forever, is little comfort to greiving family and friends.”

Armento was acquitted on a separate charge of intentional murder of a police officer but, without a functioning death penalty in New York State, it made no difference to the punishment he faced. “It’s the time spent behind bars that matters,” Lynch told reporters after the verdict. “As long as he isn’t looking at the sunlight, it’s good enough for us.

“But its’ bittersweet,” he continued, pointing to Officer Enchautegui’s sister, Yolanda Rosa, who didn’t miss a day of the trial despite some painful-tolisten- to testimony. That family is still torn apart. Yolanda cannot hug her little brother.”

“That was my baby brother,” said Yolanda Rosa, who was cheered by her brother’s fellow officers after the verdict was announced, “and he served the City of New York and his community until the day he died.” Officer Enchautegui was off duty and taking police action against a burglary next door to his home when he was killed.

The trial of the co-defendant in the case, Lillo Brancato — the low life actor — began Nov. 17. One down, one to go.