Jason Banegas sentenced to life in prison without parole in the 2021 murder of Hollywood police officer
The man convicted in the 2021 killing of a Hollywood police officer has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Closing arguments concluded in the penalty phase for 22-year-old Jason Banegas early Monday afternoon.
Banegas was convicted of killing Hollywood police Officer Yandy Chirino. The officer was responding to reports of someone trying to break into cars at the time.
Prosecutors said Chirino spotted Banegas armed with a gun. There was then a struggle, and Banegas shot Chirino in the face twice.
Banegas pleaded guilty to killing Chirino, and after four days of witness testimony, the defense rested last week in Banegas' death penalty trial.
The final witness was the sister of Banegas. She testified of the rough home life for both of them.
She also testified that both she and her brother would witness domestic violence between their parents. She also said her mother would trade sex for money, sometimes leaving them home alone for days at a time with no food.
Hollywood police chief, FOP upset over sentence
Hollywood Police Chief Jeffrey Devlin said it's been a "long and painful four years" for Chirino's family, friends, department and community.
"Officers have and always will hold the line between order and chaos in our society, and when one of us is murdered, it's my belief that that individual should face the maximum penalty allowed by law, which is the death penalty," he said in a statement following the sentence Monday. "Although the verdict did not reflect that outcome, this murderer will spend the rest of his life behind bars without the possibility of parole."
Delvin said he and his department respect the judicial process and the dedication of the jurors, and he continued his vow to stand by Chirino's family.
"We will move forward together, always keeping Yandy in our hearts and honoring his sacrifice to the community he loved."
The Hollywood Fraternal Order of Police shared in those sentiments and too expressed disappointment over Banegas' recommended sentence.
"We are deeply disappointed by the jury's decision in the sentencing phase of Officer Yandy Chirino's murder trial. When the murder of a police officer does not carry the strongest penalties allowed by law, it sends a dangerous message and weakens accountability," the FOP said in a statement on social media. "Yandy was killed for doing his job. Nothing about this outcome diminishes his sacrifice or the honor with which he served."
Banegas' formal sentencing by the judge will take place in February 2026.