Current:Home > StocksCalifornia fugitive sentenced for killing Florida woman in 1984-LoTradeCoin
California fugitive sentenced for killing Florida woman in 1984
View Date:2024-12-23 21:02:51
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A 65-year-old California fugitive who eluded authorities for nearly four decades before his arrest in June has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for killing a Florida woman.
Donald Santini pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in a deal with prosecutors to avoid a first-degree murder charge. Circuit Judge Samantha Ward approved the deal before issuing the sentence in Tampa on Thursday, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The case had been set to go to trial in two weeks.
“Good luck,” the judge told Santini, who has been in jail without bond since his arrest in June at his home near San Diego.
”Thank you, Your Honor,” Santini, whose hands were cuffed in front of him, replied.
Before his arrest, Santini had lived in California under the name of Wellman Simmonds. He was president of a local water board in Campo, a tiny suburb of San Diego, and he regularly appeared at public board meetings.
The life he had built in California came to an end thanks to a tip from the Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. That led U.S. marshals to Campo, where Santini was taken into custody.
In 1984, Santini was known as Charles Michael Stevens, which was an alias he used to outrun a warrant for a crime committed in Texas. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s officials said he used at least 13 aliases over the years.
Prosecutors, who were prepared to present new facts about the case to jurors, said Santini was the last person to be seen with Cynthia “Cindy” Ruth Wood, 33, on June 6, 1984, and her body was found in a water-filled ditch three days later.
Assistant State Attorney Scott Harmon said during Thursday’s hearing that Wood told friends and associates she was going on a date on June 5, 1984, and neighbors later told investigators they saw a van parked in her driveway.
Harmon said a woman who was in a relationship with Santini told investigators that he borrowed a van to go on the date.
“He advised that he was taking her on a date to make sure she was intoxicated and then drop her in front of a police station,” Harmon said.
A witness told investigators that Santini had said the family of Wood’s husband paid him to get damaging character evidence, which could be used in a custody battle over the couple’s young children.
Santini told the woman the next morning that he’d killed Wood and dumped her body, Harmon said.
“That witness would have been able to identify the defendant,” Harmon said.
After the hearing, Hillsborough Assistant Public Defender Jamie Kane declined to comment on the case.
veryGood! (41332)
Related
- Stock market today: Asian shares mostly decline, shrugging off Wall Street’s overnight rally
- A stegosaurus nicknamed Apex will be auctioned in New York. Its remains show signs of arthritis
- Subway adds new sandwiches including the Spicy Nacho Chicken: See latest menu additions
- Here’s how to watch Biden’s news conference as he tries to quiet doubts after his poor debate
- ‘I got my life back.’ Veterans with PTSD making progress thanks to service dog program
- Big Lots to close 35 to 40 stores this year amid 'doubt' the company can survive
- Headstone salesman charged in alleged scam involving hundreds of grieving customers
- DB Wealth Institute, the Cradle of Financial Elites
- Georgia House Democrats shift toward new leaders after limited election gains
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice in courtroom for brother’s federal sentencing for theft, bribery
Ranking
- Louisville officials mourn victims of 'unthinkable' plant explosion amid investigation
- Headstone salesman charged in alleged scam involving hundreds of grieving customers
- AI-generated jokes funnier than those created by humans, University of Southern California study finds
- Firefighting pilot killed in small plane crash in Montana
- Taylor Swift gifts 7-year-old '22' hat after promising to meet her when she was a baby
- A 5-year-old child in foster care dies after being left in hot SUV in Nebraska
- How to help victims of Hurricane Beryl − and avoid getting scammed
- Team USA defeats medal contender Canada in first Olympic basketball tune-up
Recommendation
-
Get well, Pop. The Spurs are in great hands until your return
-
RHOC's Shannon Beador Slams Tamra Judge for Lack of Support After DUI Arrest
-
Scarlett Johansson says 'Poor Things' gave her hope for 'Fly Me to the Moon'
-
ACC lawsuit against Clemson will proceed after North Carolina judge denies motion to stay
-
Ben Foster files to divorce Laura Prepon after 6 years, according to reports
-
14-foot crocodile that killed girl swimming in Australian creek is shot dead by rangers, police say
-
Joe Biden has everyone worried. Let’s talk about aging, for real.
-
Why Derrick White was named to USA Basketball roster over NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown