A St. Louis man, Jeffery D. Santee, 41, has been sentenced to a 10-year prison term yesterday for his involvement in the fatal attack of Jeraun Spiva, who was also 41, back in 2023. According to the St. Louis City Judicial Court, Santee pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree involuntary manslaughter regarding the incident that occurred on December 3, 2023. The deadly encounter led to Spiva's death following a punch from Santee that made Spiva fall and hit his head in the 4200 block of Fair Avenue. Santee then dragged Spiva into an apartment without seeking emergency medical assistance.
In an initial charge of second-degree murder, Santee later entered a guilty plea to the reduced charge as part of a plea bargain. St. Louis Circuit Judge Theresa Counts Burke ratified the plea deal and handed down a sentence of 10 years, which is the maximum punishment for first-degree involuntary manslaughter. Santee's string of prior convictions includes robbery, burglary, drug, and gun possession.
During Thursday's court hearing, Spiva's father expressed doubt to the judge about the prison term's potential effect on Santee, voicing his skepticism about Santee realizing the gravity of his actions given his criminal history. "Considering Santee’s criminal past, he doesn’t expect the prison sentence will help Santee realize the consequences of his actions," he revealed in the courtroom, as noted by the St. Louis City Judicial Court.
Santee offered an apology in court, lamenting his actions by saying, "he’d take it back if he could." Judge Burke responded to the apology by expressing her hope to Santee, "she hopes he thinks about the choices he’s made and decides to make future ones that honor Spiva’s life in some way," as mentioned by the judicial court news release.
