Monique King lied to her two accomplices by saying an actor had made sexual advances toward her. She also helped them get away after they shot 26-year-old Merlin Santana.
Prosecutors had sought a first-degree murder charge against King in connection with the November 9, 2002 shooting. This happened shortly after the actor left another man’s home in the Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Larry P. Fidler, trying the case without a jury, found King guilty of second-degree murder and attempted murder. He acquitted King on two lesser charges.
King, a runaway who was sentenced April 20 to eight years in juvenile hall. Prosecutors, who tried her as an adult, agreed that King would be sentenced to the California Youth Authority and held until age 25.
“This case was tragic all around,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Greg Dohi.
“Merlin Santana was a very gifted actor and his murder was utterly senseless. Monique King has had a miserable childhood and this verdict punishes her fairly and gives her a chance to turn her life around.”
25-year-old Brandon Douglas Bynes pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon in the case. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
21-year-old Damien Andre Gates was convicted of first-degree murder in the murder and sentenced to 70 years to life in prison.
The three were arrested soon after the murder of Santana.
Prosecutors said that Santana and a friend had been at a nearby home with King the night of the murder. King left, then later returned outside the residence with Bynes and Gates.
King told the men that Santana and his friend had made sexual advances toward her. Santana and his friend were about to leave when one of the men shot him in the head as he sat in the passenger seat of a car. The friend drove off and flagged down a police car.
Santana died at the scene.
Santana was best known for his role as Romeo Santana on “The Steve Harvey Show.” He earned nominations for the NAACP Image Awards and ALMA Awards, which honor Hispanic performers, for his recurring role as Romeo Santana on The Steve Harvey Show on the WB Network. He also appeared on other television shows, including “Major Dad,” “Moesha” and “Sister, Sister.” He also played Stanley, who had a crush on Rudy Huxtable on the hit, “The Cosby Show.”
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