Renato Seabra, the alleged killer of
Portuguese gay journalist Carlos Castro, has asked a judge to toss
out his murder confession, the
New York Post reported.
In defense papers filed Friday, lawyer
David Touger argued that Seabra's confession should be tossed on the
grounds that nobody witnessed Castro's January 7 murder in the
Inter-Continental New York Times Square Hotel room that Castro and
Seabra shared.
“There were no eye-witnesses to the
crime nor any statements or witnesses accusing the defendant of the
crime at the time he was taken into custody and questioned,” Touger
wrote.
Seabra reportedly confessed to
officials that he killed Castro in a fit of rage. The 21-year-old
fashion model has been accused of bludgeoning to death and castrating
with a wine corkscrew the 65-year-old Castro as the men vacationed
over the New Year holiday.
Seabra has not discussed whether he was
romantically involved with Castro, as
friends have said and Facebook postings suggest. His mother,
however, insists her son is not gay.
Touger added that Seabra has yet to
decide whether to pursue a psychiatric defense. He has until April 8
to decide.
Seabra earned fame last year on the
Portuguese reality talent contest A Procura Do Sonho, or
Pursuit of a Dream. He didn't win the contest but was signed
to a modeling contract.
Castro had written articles and books
about fashion and was a vocal gay rights advocate.