Patrick L. Robinson, District Attorney, announced that Antonio Cilino, age 32, was sentenced to 197 to 408 months for the Murder of his brother, Joseph Cilino, and related offenses. Antonio Cilino was convicted by a Wayne County Jury, after a three (3) day Trial, on January 24, 2018, for Third Degree Murder, Simple Assault, and two (2) counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person. On September 2, 2016, Antonio Cilino stalked and cornered Joseph Cilino, Brooke Swingle, and her one (1) year old child in a remote area of Damascus Township, Wayne County where he shot and killed an unarmed Joseph Cilino. Antonio Cilino fled the scene, hid the murder weapon and eventually surrendered to a Hawley Borough Police Officer.
On August 8, 2016, Brooke Swingle filed and was granted a Protection From Abuse Petition (PFA) against Antonio Cilino, her former boyfriend. On the date of the murder, Antonio Cilino was prohibited by the PFA from having any contact with Brooke Swingle (except for custody exchanges), from stalking (following) Brooke Swingle and from possessing a Firearm.
District Attorney Robinson stated “First, I must commend State Trooper John Decker and the Pennsylvania State Police Troop R Major Case Team for their excellent investigation which resulted in this conviction. This is a tragic case which is the sole responsibility of one person alone, Antonio Cilino. Anyone who tries to blame the victims, Joseph Cilino and Brooke Swingle, for the shooting of Jospeh Cilino and the terrorizing of Brooke Swingle is at best misinformed. Antonio Cilino was a jealous, domineering, obsessive, violent individual who mistreated and bullied Brooke Swingle for years. Joseph Cilino tried to help Brooke Swingle, on the night of the murder and at 40 years of age he was shot and killed for his efforts.”
Robinson also stated “It is really disturbing that this murder took place while Brooke Swingle had a PFA against Antonio Cilino who was in violation of at least 3 provisions of the PFA. He had contact with Brooke Swingle, he was stalking Brooke Swingle, and he was in possession of a firearm. The Wayne County District Attorney’s Office has a Zero Tolerance Policy regarding domestic violence and regarding violations of PFA Orders. This case is just another example of why such a policy must be vigorously enforced. Violence against women must be deterred. At least Antonio Clino will be deterred for the next 16 to 34 years.”
