DuPage County State’s Attorney
May 18, 2021
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Wood Dale Chief of Police Greg Vesta announced today that bond has been set for a Wood Dale man charged with the murder of his father, Robert Castellano, also of Wood Dale. Joshua Castellano, 30 (d.o.b. 04/24/1991) of the 200 block of Forest View, appeared at a bond hearing this morning in front of Judge Brian Telander who set bond at $2 million with 10% to apply. Castellano has been charged with one count of First-Degree Murder.
On May 16, 2021 at approximately 3:55 a.m., officers with the Wood Dale Police Department were dispatched to the Forest View house the men shared in response to an alleged fall of the homeowner, Robert Castellano. Upon their arrival, officers located Robert Castellano laying on his back on a bed having difficulty breathing and suffering from a one-inch laceration near his ribs. Castellano was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers also observed blood on the floor and bed. Following an investigation by the Wood Dale Police Department it is alleged that at some point in the night, a verbal altercation between Robert Castellano and his son Joshua turned physical at which time Joshua stabbed his father with a large sword, which was found wrapped in a blanket under the bed in which Robert Castellano was laying.
“This case is a tragic reminder that domestic violence is not confined to the traditional intimate partner scenario that most of us think of when we hear domestic violence,” Berlin said. “In fact, according to the FBI, in 2019, nationally there were 344 murders in which a child murdered their parent. I would like to thank the Wood Dale Police Department as well as Assistant State’s Attorney Lynn Cavallo for her efforts on this very sad case.”
“Domestic violence is a problem that unfortunately affects every single community and our thoughts are with the family that is dealing with this loss,” Vesta said. “I would like to thank members of the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office and investigators from the DuPage M.E.R.I.T. Major Crimes and Forensic Investigations units for their assistance in bringing this case to a timely and thorough conclusion.”
Castellano’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 27, 2021, for arraignment in front of Judge Telander.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Chicago Times 