Convicted killer of 4 homeless men in Chinatown sentenced to 40 years to life

A Manhattan jury convicted Randy Santos of first-degree murder and related charges for bludgeoning four homeless men to death in Chinatown in 2019. The victims were sleeping outside when he attacked using a heavy metal pole. Two other men he attacked in Chinatown and Chelsea survived their injuries. At trial, defense attorneys argued Santos should not be criminally responsible due to severe mental illness and claimed he did not understand his actions were wrong, including a reported voice commanding him to kill. Prosecutors argued Santos understood what he was doing and presented surveillance footage showing him glancing around and waiting before attacking. At sentencing, the prosecutor described the case as tragic, noted the absence of victim impact statements, and expressed sadness for Santos while emphasizing the value of every life.

"A Manhattan jury convicted Randy Santos of first-degree murder and other charges earlier this year, following less than a day of deliberations. He used a heavy metal pole to kill Anthony Manson, Florencio Moran, Chuen Kok and Nazario Vásquez Villegas, while they were sleeping outside in Chinatown in 2019, jurors found. Two other men he attacked in Chinatown and Chelsea survived their injuries."

"Santos' defense attorneys argued at trial that he should not be held criminally responsible for the killings, because he has severe mental illness and did not understand that what he was doing was wrong. They said a voice in Santos's head commanded him to kill 40 people, or else he would be killed himself."

"Prosecutors told jurors he did know what he was doing, and showed surveillance footage of Santos glancing around and waiting for a witness to pass before carrying out his attack. They argued at trial that Santos should be held accountable for targeting vulnerable strangers."

"Peterson said the facts of the case "cannot be more tragic." He struggled to deliver his statement to the judge, frequently pausing to collect himself. "There are no victim impact statements here today," he said. "There's nobody here to tell this court about their lives and how their absence is a loss. But I'm certain that this court and our city understands the value of every life and the gift of life.""

Read at Gothamist