Jurors are preparing to deliberate in the trial of Randy Santos, 31, who is accused of beating four homeless men to death while they slept on the streets of New York City in October 2019. The defense acknowledges that Santos committed the acts but asserts he was too mentally ill to be held criminally responsible for his actions. The case has drawn significant attention due to its implications regarding mental health and the city's homeless population, which has reached record levels.
On the night of the attacks, Santos was arrested wielding a bloody metal bar shortly after committing the murders. The victims—Chuen Kok, Anthony Manson, Florencio Moran, and Nazario Vásquez Villegas—were aged between 39 and 83 and were also homeless. Following the incident, the case heightened scrutiny over the city’s ability to care for and protect its vulnerable populations.
Santos has entered a plea of not guilty to murder charges linked to the deaths, as well as charges of attempted murder and assault against other individuals in the days leading up to the killings, which occurred in Manhattan's Chinatown. His attorneys have presented evidence that Santos suffers from schizophrenia, claiming he genuinely believed that voices compelled him to kill 40 people under the threat of his own demise.
During the closing arguments, defense attorney Arnold Levine emphasized the significance of Santos' mental illness. Levine contended that Santos may have recognized he could face legal consequences for his actions but lacked the capacity to understand that they were morally wrong. He argued that this lack of comprehension, attributable to Santos' psychosis, should support the insanity defense being presented to the jury.
Conversely, prosecutors maintain that Santos was aware of both the illegality and immorality of his actions. Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Alfred Peterson pointed to evidence suggesting Santos was conscious of his surroundings and potential witnesses during the attacks. Peterson further quoted Santos, who allegedly admitted to a psychiatrist in 2024, “I know it’s not a good action,” contending this awareness indicates that he should be held accountable for the murders.
Santos, originally from the Dominican Republic, has been following the trial through a Spanish-language interpreter, showing minimal visible reaction during the courtroom proceedings. At one point, he appeared to flutter his hands near his face as Levine recounted a previous incident in which Santos reportedly lashed out at his own grandfather before the Chinatown attacks.
Should the jury reject Santos' insanity defense and convict him of the charges, he faces a potential life sentence in prison. However, if they deem him not responsible due to mental illness, he could be subject to involuntary commitment for psychiatric treatment, with the duration determined by officials and the court.
