Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that today Justin Santerre (age 34), of Fall River, MA, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Justice Netti C. Vogel to the charges of second degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault. Under the terms of the plea, Santerre was sentenced to 60 years with 40 years to serve.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that in the early morning hours on March 2, 2014, Santerre fatally stabbed Satchel Ramos, stabbed and injured Clyde Ramos, and punched Sam Marino. The events took place on Atwells Avenue in the Federal Hill section of Providence.
Satchel Ramos, who was 22 years of age at the time, his brother Clyde Ramos, who is now 28 years of age, and Satchel's girlfriend enjoyed a night out at Club Sequel on Federal Hill. Sam Marino and his two friends were also at Club Sequel that night, although they did not know the Ramos brothers and their friends. As the club closed at 2:00 a.m., the two groups of friends were standing outside. Justin Santerre, his girlfriend Lisa Fischer, and his two friends William Lopes and Eric Souza arrived on Atwells Avenue just after 2:00 a.m., having come from the Cadillac Lounge earlier. They were unknown to the two other groups.
As Sam Marino said goodbye to friends, Justin Santerre came up and punched him, without provocation, sending Marino stumbling. As Marino's friends come to his aid and questioned the defendant asking why he punched Marino, co-defendant Eric Souza punched Marino a second time. Souza then walked away from the group.
Watching the scene unfold from across the street, Clyde Ramos walked into the street to try to calm everyone down and asked them to all go home. Souza came into the group of people and punched Clyde Ramos, without provocation. Satchel Ramos rushed to his brother's defense. As Satchel struggled with Souza, Santerre ran over and stabbed Satchel Ramos six times, striking him in the upper torso and left temple. Satchel Ramos stumbled to the sidewalk, where he was seen on videotape lifting his shirt and telling the bouncer from Club Sequel that he'd been stabbed.
Souza and Clyde Ramos continued to fight. As they made their way across the street in front of Andino's restaurant, video surveillance from the restaurant showed co-defendant William Lopes kick Clyde Ramos and also showed Santerre, with knife in hand, stab Clyde multiple times in his thigh and lower torso. Satchel's girlfriend is seen on video surveillance trying to break up the fight and aid Clyde Ramos.
Two Providence Police officers came upon the scene and immediately break up the fight. Santerre and Lopes run off. Police arrest Souza at the scene. Video surveillance showed Santerre discard the knife onto Atwells Avenue before his girlfriend Lisa Fischer picked up him and Lopes before heading back to Fall River.
Satchel and Clyde Ramos were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where Satchel succumbed to his injuries.
Later that morning, police located the knife Santerre was seen discarding. Tests performed on the knife came back with blood from the two victims and DNA on the handle consistent with that of the defendant. With assistance from the Fall River Police Department and witnesses at the scene, police identify Santerre and Lopes as the individuals involved in the incident.
Co-defendant Souza was indicted on two counts of simple assault He pleaded nolo contendere in May 2015 and was sentenced to one year suspended with probation and ordered to perform 25 hours of community service. Co-defendant William Lopes was indicted on one count of assault with a dangerous weapon. He pleaded nolo contendere in April 2015 and was sentenced to 8 years with 271 days to serve with the remainder suspended with probation.
"On this tragic evening, in the matter of mere minutes, one person was dead, another stabbed and a third injured for absolutely no reason," said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. "Despite their tremendous loss, the Ramos family has shown great dignity, grace and compassion toward the defendants. Their ability to forgive is truly inspiring. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they continue to mourn the loss of their son, grandson, brother, and friend Satchel."
Providence Police Detective Robert Washburn led the investigation. Assistant Attorney General Scott Erickson prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.