US: Gay underwear model convicted of murdering and sexually mutilating lover
A court in New York has convicted Renato Seabra, a Portuguese former underwear model of murdering a gay TV presenter and of mutilating his genitals in a Manhattan hotel room.
Carlos Castro, 65, was choked and bludgeoned to death on 7 January 2011 at the InterContinental Hotel.
Seabra told police he had choked Mr Castro, stabbed him in the face and groin with a corkscrew, rammed a computer monitor on to his head and stomped on his face.
He then showered and wandered the streets with the dead man’s genitalia on his arms to harness what he believed were its healing powers, Sebra’s defence lawyer previously argued in court.
He also took $1,600 (£1,000) from Mr Castro before he left the murder scene.
During the trial defence lawyers had tried to claim that Seabra, 23, mentally snapped when he fatally attacked the victim.
Seabra had pleaded not guilty to the murder on the grounds of insanity.
However, the jury did not believe the defendant’s claim.
Assistant District Attorney Maxine Rosenthal said: “It is no coincidence Castro’s life ended at the same time he ended his relationship with the defendant.
“The motive is as clear as if it were written in lights on a Times Square marquee.”
Seabra faces the possibility of life in prison. He will be sentenced on 21 December.
