Chico Man Gets 13 Years to Life for Brutal, Unprovoked Assault of Total Stranger
Above: Raphael Santa Evans
Photo shared by Butte County District Attorney’s Office
A Chico man has been sentenced to 13 years to life in prison for attempting to kill a man he did not know.
In a press release, the Butte County District Attorney’s Office, announced the sentencing of Raphael Santa Evans, 39, who had previously been convicted of first-degree attempted murder and first-degree residential burglary in connection with an incident on Feb. 24.
According to District Attorney’s Office, the attack occurred at approximately 8 p.m. at a duplex on Fair Oaks Circle. The victim, a 47-year-old man, had been showering when Evans broke through the front door of the home and then through the bathroom door.
Evans then stabbed the victim with scissors over 30 times.
The victim managed to wrestle the scissors away from Evans, who reportedly then used a ceramic toilet lid to strike the victim. Evans also used a subwoofer from the living room in the assault, which finally ended when Evans noticed police officers arriving at the scene.
Evans, covered in blood, reportedly then exited the residence and charged at officers, but was detained.
The victim was transported to a hospital with multiple life-threatening stab wounds and remained hospitalized for six days. He continues to suffer from nerve damage and permanent scarring, the District Attorney’s Office said.
Investigators later obtained surveillance footage that reportedly showed Evans breaking into the unoccupied side of the duplex and stealing the scissors before attacking the victim.
During an interview with detectives, Evans reportedly stated that he had been contemplating self-harm but had decided to harm someone else instead. He said he chose the victim’s house because it was the closest.
Authorities say that Evans asked detectives if the incident would be reported in newspapers, and laughed when told that it would be.
Prosecutors sought the maximum sentence allowed due to the random and dangerous nature of the crime.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Judge Jesus Rodriguez sentenced Evans to 13 years to life in prison, citing the severity of the attack.
