NEW YORK, May 20 (UPI) — Joseph Gannascoli says he has dropped out of the film Bronx Dahmer because he didn’t want to share the screen with Lillo Brancato, a convicted felon.
Gannascoli announced his departure last weekend, but tweeted a link to a statement Wednesday, explaining in detail his decision to leave the project featuring his fellow former Sopranos cast member, who was released from prison in 2013 after serving eight years for his role in a burglary that left a police officer dead.
“First off the tremendous support from all of you has been overwhelming, which makes me feel even better for what I did. The brotherhood of Law Enforcement runs deep everywhere. We all know what happened to Lilo Brancato that night. Every second since then he has been remorseful,” Gannascoli’s statement read.
“But the fact remains that because of his actions he committed the ultimate sin and made more so by the fact that it was a Cop that was shot and killed. We all have made terrible mistakes in our lives and most of us were lucky enough to have not made it cost a life. But some have, Be it driving while DWI or DUI ( I got one in Fla.), fighting, horsing around or just plain bad luck. And while Lilo didn’t actually pull the trigger he went to a drug dealers house with the intent of robbing him with a friend who had a gun. Anything could happen in a confutation which in fact did. It could have been the dealers wife, mother, girlfriend or neighbor. And that person could have been a Cop which unfortunately it was. While Lilo has turned his life around after serving 8 years (which many don’t and come out worse he tries to guide kids about not making the same mistakes) it still was an AVOIDABLE situation. As humans and Catholics we are taught compassion and humility. I don’t always abide by it but for the most part I try.
“I grew up respecting Cops in Gravesend Brooklyn, I have seen many guys go the criminal way. I chose not to. I chose to make something of my life any way I could. I’ve been blessed and lucky. but I also made it happen with hustle and hard work,” he continued. “Seeing what is happening with Law Enforcement today is appalling. While some Police cross the line, 99.9 percent of you protect us everyday . The disrespect being shown to Cops by being insulted, attacked physically, provoked and harmed all while being filmed for no apparent reason while trying to do your jobs is beyond pale. So while I thank you for you support I cant help feel bad for Lilo. Nor can I forgive what happened. Det. Enchautegui family probably feels the same way. Thank you all.”
“You can’t control how others perceive you but you can control your own actions. Do just that the with #responsibility and prove those that doubt you wrong!! #besmart #alwaysthinkbeforeyouact #thankful #grateful #blessed,” Brancato said in an Instagram message Monday.
Comment count on this article reflects comments made on Breitbart.com and Facebook. Visit Breitbart's Facebook Page.