St. Paul man who fatally stabbed wife during Bible study sentenced to prison

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A St. Paul man who pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing his wife during a Bible study in March 2023 was sentenced to more than 33 years in prison on Friday. 

What happened? 

Robert Castillo pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with intent in the fatal stabbing of his wife, Corrina Woodhull, on March 21, 2023. 

Court documents say Castillo and his wife went over to Castillo's sister's house for a Bible study. Castillo's sister told police Castillo and his wife were on the couch acting normally; he held her hand and kissed her, then whispered something in her ear. Woodhull then shook her head "No" and Castillo pulled out a knife and stabbed her about 20 times. 

Family members intervened to stop Castillo from stabbing Woodhull, and then held him down. When officers arrived at the home, they found Woodhull lying on the floor bleeding from multiple stab wounds, court documents said. She was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. 

Witnesses said that things seemed fine between Castillo and Woodhull, and no one heard what Castillo said to Woodhull before he stabbed her, the complaint said. 

Castillo's sentencing

Robert Castillo at his sentencing on Sept. 13, 2024. 

Castillo was sentenced to 400 months (33.3 years) in prison on Friday, with credit for 541 days served. 

Before he was sentenced, Castillo apologized to his stepchildren and others for taking away Woodhull and took full responsibility for his actions even though he doesn't remember what happened that day due to his drug-induced psychosis. He says he hopes one day they will forgive him.

Those who read victim impact statements on Friday asked the judge to sentence Castillo to the full prison sentence allowed by law. Woodhull's mom called her a "miracle child" and her best friend, saying she doesn't know how to live without her. 

The defense asked the judge for a downward durational departure from sentencing guidelines, seeking 25 years in prison for Castillo. Castillo's defense attorney said he has been remorseful for his actions. His attorney said Castillo was a drug user, and has no memories from before he was a drug user. He was also sexually assaulted as a child, the defense attorney said. But he has worked on himself — he quit the gang he joined and got his GED after dropping out of school in the fourth grade. He plans to continue working on himself in the decades he's behind bars. 

The judge denied the defense's motion for a downward departure. 

The prosecution said Castillo has a history of hurting the people who care about him.