Man Convicted of Murder in Chinatown Beatings, Insanity Defense Rejected

NEW YORK – A man was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder for the 2019 beatings to death of four men sleeping on the streets of Manhattan’s Chinatown. A jury rejected his plea of insanity. Randy Santos, 31, was found guilty of intentionally killing Chuen Kok, Anthony Manson, Florencio Moran, and Nazario Vásquez Villegas with a metal bar.

Details of the Crimes and the Trial

Prosecutors presented evidence that Santos intentionally attacked the defenseless men in a series of assaults on October 5, 2019. The defense conceded that Santos committed the acts but argued he was not criminally responsible due to schizophrenia. They claimed he was driven by delusions, believing he had to kill 40 people or face death himself.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated, “A jury determined that Randy Santos knowingly and purposefully murdered four men with a metal bar in the span of less than 30 minutes. They were strangers to him and simply happened to be sleeping on Chinatown sidewalks that horrific night.”

The jury deliberated for less than a day before reaching a verdict. Santos, who listened to the verdict through headphones with a Spanish-language interpreter, showed no visible reaction. He was as well convicted of attempted murder for severely injuring two other men.

Background of the Victims

The victims were identified as:

• Chuen Kok, 83, a former restaurant worker.
• Anthony Manson, 49, who helped establish a Pentecostal church and created online content.
• Florencio Moran, 39, an aspiring boxer.
• Nazario Vásquez Villegas, 55, a factory worker.

Santos’ History and Mental Health

Santos, originally from the Dominican Republic, had a history of erratic and violent behavior, including prior arrests for attacking people in public spaces. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia before the killings but had stopped taking his prescribed medication and attending treatment, according to his lawyers.

Prosecutors argued that Santos was aware of his actions, pointing to evidence that he took steps to avoid witnesses and later acknowledged the wrongfulness of his actions. Assistant District Attorney Alfred Peterson argued that a prior beating in September 2019 served as a “trial run” for the October attacks.

Legal Aftermath and Sentencing

The Legal Aid Society, representing Santos, announced plans to appeal the verdict. “There is no dispute that Randy has suffered for years from schizophrenia, including on the nights of these tragic events,” the organization said in a statement.

Santos faces a potential life sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for April 16. The killings prompted increased scrutiny of the city’s efforts to support and protect its growing homeless population.