Castillo then tried to commit suicide by stabbing himself in the neck and later by overdosing on Aleve, an over-the-counter pain medication. When neither worked, he called the hotel front desk and told what he had done. He would later confess to detectives at the hospital where his wounds were treated and again at homicide headquarters.
"Let the record reflect that there is more than enough evidence to find you guilty of murder in the first degree" on three counts, Heard said, ticking off the guilty findings for each killing.
In the courtroom, Mark Castillo's fourth child, a 21-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, looked on. She had left the courtroom as Drake read the facts of the case, appearing upset, and declined to speak on her father's behalf after judgment was passed, as did his mother.
His sister addressed the room instead, her right hand shaking as she raised it to be sworn in.
"We love Mark Castillo so much; we love the kids with all our hearts," she began. "We're behind him 100 percent. He has the love and support of his family and always will."
As she finished, the Bible that Mark Castillo had asked for arrived, and he said his piece. His last words, as he was being led out in handcuffs and shackles, were to his daughter.
"I love you, Janine," he said.
On the sidewalk, outside the courthouse, Amy Castillo paused to pray with a passer-by, who said his fiancee was also struggling with the courts to protect her children.
She appears a slimmer woman than a year ago. She has been pulled to the gym by a longtime friend from Bible study, Linda Douglas, who was by her side during the pre-trial events. She goes to multiple counseling sessions each week and has been treated for post-traumatic stress disorder. She still has flashbacks and nightmares, but she's getting better, she said.
She's forgiven her ex-husband, as God has forgiven her, she said, and she still prays for his family, particularly his mother.
"I know the pain of being a mother," she told the court, "and having something happen to your children."
The Castillo case
March 29, 2008: During a custodial visit, Mark Castillo drowns his children, ages 2, 4 and 6, at a Baltimore hotel
March 30: Castillo awakes after a suicide attempt, calls front desk to report what he had done. He makes his first confession to police.
May 19: He pleads not criminally responsible, the equivalent of an insanity plea.
Aug. 22: Castillo, who had withdrawn his insanity plea in June, asks to represent himself, considers pleading guilty. Judge puts case on hold so he can be evaluated for competence.
Oct. 7: Castillo is ruled competent to fire his lawyers and plead guilty.
Oct. 30: Castillo shows particularly erratic, argumentative behavior in court.
Jan. 13, 2009: Represented by a lawyer, he again pleads insanity.
April: A medical evaluator finds Castillo competent to stand trial.
Oct. 6: Attorney's argue pre-trial motions, including one to suppress Castillo's confession to police.
Oct. 8: Jury selection begins.
Oct. 14: Castillo unexpectedly pleads guilty.
Baltimore Sun research; Associated Press
