A St. Paul resident has altered his plea to guilty in connection with the fatal stabbing of his wife during a Bible study session last year.
According to court documents, Robert Castillo changed his plea to guilty in court on Monday. Under a plea agreement, he admitted to second-degree murder with intent, though not premeditated. Castillo had previously pleaded not guilty to the crime last summer.
The incident occurred on the evening of March 21 at a residence on the 1000 block of Maryland Avenue East in St. Paul, as detailed in the criminal complaint. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered 41-year-old Corinna Woodhull with severe injuries to her torso, chest, and arms. Castillo was restrained on the floor by several individuals.
Despite receiving treatment at the scene and transportation to Regions Hospital, Woodhull was pronounced dead.
According to Castillo’s sister, who hosts Bible study gatherings at the residence on Tuesday nights, Woodhull and Castillo had arrived and were seated together on a couch. At one juncture, Castillo allegedly whispered something to Woodhull before producing a knife and repeatedly stabbing her, the complaint stated.
Family members intervened and subdued Castillo, preventing further harm. Another witness from the Bible study expressed concerns that Castillo might have harmed others if not restrained, the complaint noted.
The charge of murder carries a potential maximum penalty of up to 40 years in prison.
