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Mar 4, 2022 · Santillan was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1994 for murdering his childhood friend, Vinay Singh, in 1992. Santillan was 17 at the time of the killing. In February, he was released after serving 28 years. His release stemmed from a 2012 U.S Supreme Court decision that banned mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles.
The state's evidence of appellant's mental state included the testimony of several witnesses who stated that appellant and Vinay Singh were friends and were interested in dating the same girl, Missy Ray. In the fall of 1991, Missy Ray and Vinay Singh witnessed appellant put a gun to his own head.
The current appeal is taken following Defendant's second trial for the murder of Vinay Singh ("Victim"). During his first trial, Defendant contended that he did not murder Victim, but the jury nonetheless found him guilty of both first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
Jun 17, 1997 · The state's evidence of appellant's mental state included the testimony of several witnesses who stated that appellant and Vinay Singh were friends and were interested in dating the same girl, Missy Ray. In the fall of 1991, Missy Ray and Vinay Singh witnessed appellant put a gun to his own head.
Jun 17, 1997 · Appellant, Christopher Santillan, appeals from his conviction for first degree murder and armed criminal action. Appellant was found guilty after a jury trial and sentenced to imprisonment for life without eligibility for *575 parole or probation on the murder charge and three years imprisonment on the armed criminal action charge.
Mar 2, 1992 · There they located the decomposed body of Vinay Singh in a shallow grave. It was determined he had been shot and killed. Vinay had been reported missing on 02/04/1992. As a result of this investigation, Christopher Santillan (age 17 - charged as an adult) was charged with Murder 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action.
John took on the role of mentor and counselor to incarcerated youth from the time that he was at St. Louis County jail. Chris Santillan, a fellow inmate at Potosi, first met John at the jail, where they both held the job of walkman.
