Anthony Santo
Homicide
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- New York/Massachusetts, USA
- Date of birth
- 1894
- Age at first offence
- 14
- Characteristics
- juvenile (14), child killer, mentally ill, torture
- Victim profile
- James and Frank Marino / Louise Staula
- Method of murder
- St abbing with a jack knife / Beating with a rock
- Date(s) of murder
- March/June 1908
- Years active
- 1908
- Date of arrest
- —
- Status
-
Found incompetent for trial; ruled insane and committed to an asylum for life
Background
Anthony Santo was identified as a juvenile who murdered younger children during “mad spells”. Authorities later described that recent illness had affected Santo’s mind.
The offence
In June 1908, Santo was questioned regarding multiple deaths of young children.
- James Marino and Frank Marino were reported murdered three months earlier. A jack knife had been used on Frank, while James had been beaten with a rock.
- Louise Staula was found dead in a field on May 11. Local officers had been baffled before they spoke with Santo.
Investigation
In June 1908, authorities from Brooklyn questioned Santo about the deaths of James and Frank Marino. Santo readily confessed.
During the interrogation, Santo also made a confession to another homicide in Dedham, Massachusetts, involving Louise Staula.
Arrest
Santo was jailed in Norwood, Massachusetts during June 1908 before authorities questioned him.
Trial
Santo was found incompetent for trial.
Sentencing
Santo was confined to an asylum for the criminally insane.
Outcome
Investigators said the interrogation solved three crimes. It did not result in Santo being sent to jail. Santo was ruled insane and committed to the asylum for life.
Other details
Santo’s confession about Louise Staula included the following words:
“When I saw her,” he said, “I had a mad spell. I struck the girl once. Then I picked up a rock and she jumped when I threw it. When I struck her with the rock she fell. I thought she was dead. I started to pray to help her and make her get better.”
Michael Newton (An Encyclopedia of Modern Serial Killers - Hunting Humans) was named in the case information alongside Santo’s details: SEX: M; RACE: H; TYPE: N; MOTIVE: PC-nonspecific; MO: Murdered younger children during “mad spells”; DISPOSITION: Ruled insane; committed to asylum for life.
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