US man found guilty of beating 4 to death in New York Chinatown, including HK migrant
South China Morning Post
by Associated PressFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A man who brutally murdered four sleeping men in New York’s Chinatown was convicted of first-degree murder on Thursday. The jury rejected his insanity defense, marking a significant legal outcome in the case involving Randy Santos. The victims—Chuen Kok, Anthony Manson, Florencio Moran, and Nazario Vasquez Villegas—were attacked with a metal bar during their sleep in 2019. While Santos’ lawyers acknowledged that he intended to kill his defenseless victims, they argued that he was too mentally ill to be held criminally responsible. However, the jury’s decision highlights the importance of accountability for such heinous acts.
The case gained international attention due to the involvement of one of the victims, a Hong Kong migrant. This incident occurred in one of New York City’s most densely populated areas, sparking concerns about public safety and the vulnerabilities of individuals in urban settings. The attack took place in February 2019, and the subsequent trial has been closely monitored by both local and international audiences.
This verdict sends a strong message that mental illness does not absolve individuals of responsibility for their actions, particularly when those actions result in multiple fatalities. The rejection of the insanity defense underscores the legal system’s commitment to justice for victims’ families and communities affected by such violence. The case also raises broader questions about mental health resources and how they
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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 2/19/2026