Man sentenced to 40 years to life for killing 4 sleeping homeless men
The Story
A man convicted of bludgeoning four homeless men to death with a metal bar while they slept on New York City streets was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison. No friends or relatives of the victims appeared in court to deliver victim impact statements. The defendant apologized and said his mental condition has improved with medication.
Key Facts
- Randy Santos was convicted in February of first-degree murder for killing four men: Florencio Moran, Nazario Vásquez Villegas, Anthony Manson, and Chuen Kok.
- The killings occurred nearly seven years ago in Manhattan’s Chinatown neighborhood while the victims slept on the street.
- Judge Laura A. Ward sentenced Santos to 40 years to life in prison.
- Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Alfred Peterson told the court there were no victim impact statements.
- Santos, 31, apologized in court and said his mind is “much better now” with daily medication.
- Defense lawyer Arnold Levine asked for a 20 years-to-life sentence; prosecutors had requested 50 years to life.
- Santos was also convicted of attempted murder for assaults that left two other men severely injured.
- Surveillance video showed Santos repeatedly lifting a 4-foot (1.2 meter) metal bar over his head and bringing it down on a victim.
- The lone survivor of the spree, 49-year-old David Hernandez, staggered to a nearby street where police were trying to revive another victim.
- Police found Santos carrying the bar, which had his DNA on one end and blood from victims on the other.
- Victims ranged in age from 39 to 83.
- Activist Karlin Chan, who arranged one victim’s funeral, said the sentencing gives the community closure.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
No open questions identified in the source article.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Randy Santos: convicted of murder
- Florencio Moran, Nazario Vásquez Villegas, Anthony Manson, Chuen Kok: victims
- Alfred Peterson: Manhattan Assistant District Attorney
- Laura A. Ward: Judge
- Arnold Levine: defense lawyer
- David Hernandez: survivor
- Karlin Chan: Chinatown activist
Sources: abcnews.com
