Oprah is named PETA’s Person of the year. Oprah Winfrey, usually praised for her philanthropic work with human beings, was named the “Person of the Year” by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The Norfolk-Va.-based organized lauded Winfrey for using her “powerful voice to defend those without one,” said PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. ”She has used her show to uncover horrific cases of cruelty to animals in puppy mills and on factory farms, and Oprah even used the show to highlight the cruelty-free vegan diet that she tried,” PETA wrote on its Web site.

Actor acquitted of murder. Lillo Brancato, the young actor who had perfected the role of an up-and-coming Italian mobster, was acquitted Monday in the death of a New York City Police officer who was gunned down as he attempted to stop a burglary by Brancato and an accomplice. The jury said that Brancato was guilty of first-degree attempted burglary, but did not convict him of killing officer Daniel Enchautegui, who was shot by the accomplice. The jury could have found the 32-year-old Brancato guilty of second-degree murder, since the death occurred during the commission of another felony, but there were mitigating circumstances, which the jury bought. For example, Brancato was not armed and did not know that his sidekick had a gun. The accomplice, Steven Armento, 51, was convicted by another Bronx jury on Oct. 30 of first-degree murder in firing the fatal shot into Officer Enchautegui’s chest. He was sentenced last month to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Brancato is looking at anywhere from three to 15 years in prison for attempted burglary; he’s already served more than three years and could be credited with that time. New York Supreme Court Justice Martin Marcus will sentence Brancato on Jan. 9. Yolanda Rosa, Officer Enchautegui’s sister, was outraged by the decision. “I waited three long years for this,” she said. “I’m disappointed. What message is this sending out to New York police officers today?”

TAGS: acquitted, actor, murder, Oprah, Person of the Year, PETA

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