Peabody Man Convicted in 2014 Murder of His Girlfriend

A Lawrence Superior Court jury convicted 45-year-old Franklin Castano of Peabody of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his 23-year old girlfriend in February, 2014.

Castano was also found guilty of unlicensed possession of a firearm. Superior Court Judge Mary Ames imposed the mandatory sentence of life without parole.

Essex Assistant District Attorneys Kristen Buxton and Jessica Strasnick introduced evidence that proved that Franklin Castano shot Solanlly Paulino in the head in their apartment in the Eaves Avalon complex in Peabody, according to the Essex County District Attorney’s office.

Police found Paulino on the morning of February 20, 2014 face down on a couch with a single gunshot wound to the head and strangulation marks on her neck.

Earlier that morning, Castano, at the urging of one of his friends, went to the Lynn Police Station. There, Castano’s friend told police that Castano had admitted that he killed “his wife.” In the week leading up to the murder, the victim had been trying to get the defendant to move out of their apartment after the relationship had become more abusive. Several witnesses testified that she talked about ending the relationship and had told one witness that the defendant’s clothes were packed in suitcases.

“This case is a sad reminder of the danger women face when they try to escape an abusive relationship,” District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said. “This victim, who had her whole life ahead of her, was trying to get out of this destructive relationship and like so many batterers, this defendant would not allow it. I urge all people who are trying to leave an abusive relationship to reach out for help to develop a safe plan.”

Peabody Police Chief Thomas Griffin said it was a sad case in which a young woman’s life was cut short.

“Thanks to the hard work of the Essex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the D.A’s Office and Peabody Police detectives, a measure of justice was delivered with this verdict,” Griffin said.

ADAs Buxton and Strasnick praised the work of Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Murphy, Peabody Police Detective Robert Church and Essex Victim Advocate Deborah Dunn.

The defendant was represented by Attorney Michael Phelan.