Robert Castillo, 41, was sentenced Friday to 33 1/3 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of his wife, Corinna Woodhull, during a Bible study session last year. The sentencing in Ramsey County District Court brings to a close a case that has shocked the local community and highlighted the dangers of domestic violence.
Castillo, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in March, apologized in court for killing Woodhull, his wife of two years and mother to their five children, aged 11 to 24. The tragic incident occurred on March 21, 2023, at Castillo’s sister’s home in St. Paul, where she hosted weekly Bible studies.
According to court documents, Castillo and Woodhull were sitting on a couch when he whispered something in her ear. After she shook her head “no,” Castillo pulled out a hunting knife and stabbed her multiple times until family members disarmed him.
Defense attorney Mark Austin argued for a reduced sentence of 25 years, citing Castillo’s remorse and claiming his last memory as a free man was from earlier that day when he got high with a friend. Castillo told the court, “I’m taking full responsibility for my actions, even if I don’t recall anything that happened that day due to my… drug-induced psychosis.”
However, prosecutor Dan Rait emphasized Castillo’s history of violence, noting eight prior felony convictions, including a 2014 second-degree assault for beating another woman with a hammer. At the time of the murder, Castillo was on intensive supervised release and had an outstanding warrant for failing to appear at a court hearing related to assaulting two correctional officers in 2020.
Judge Richard Kyle’s sentence of 33 1/3 years means Castillo will likely serve about 22 years in prison before being eligible for supervised release, as per Minnesota sentencing guidelines.
The case has shed light on the persistent issue of domestic violence. Linda Castle, Woodhull’s mother, revealed that she found divorce papers in her daughter’s car after her death. “She knew it was time to walk away, and that’s why she’s dead,” Castle said, urging women to reject abusive behavior.
Rait noted the tragic irony of the situation, saying, “It’s a testament to the kind of person she was that she went through with [the marriage], thinking she could help him. I can’t believe that she knew her wedding vows would ultimately be her death sentence.”
This case serves as a grim reminder of the potentially fatal consequences of domestic abuse and the importance of recognizing warning signs in relationships. As the community grapples with this tragedy, advocates hope it will spark renewed efforts to combat domestic violence and provide support for victims.
