FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Jurors came to a decision in the penalty phase of the trial for a man who pleaded guilty to killing a Hollywood police officer four years ago.

Jason Banegas, 22, previously pled guilty to first-degree murder for fatally shooting Hollywood police Officer Yandy Chirino in October 2021.

On Monday, jurors recommended that Banegas would not receive the death penalty. He will instead live out the rest of his life in prison, a sentence the judge is scheduled to impose on Feb. 18.

It was a decision that jurors made in under two hours.

The brief deliberation surprised many, including one of the defense attorneys representing Banegas.

“It is a heavy decision, I didn’t think it was going to be that fast,” said attorney Lien Lafargue.

Chirino was just 28 years old when he was killed while responding to a call about a suspicious person in the 4000 block of North Hills Drive.

Ring camera footage shows Banegas, then 18, on his bike, checking for unlocked car doors.

Police said Banegas shot Chirino twice in the face while resisting arrest, killing him.

Emotional testimony has taken place over the past several days of hearings, with relatives and loved ones of Chirino and Banegas taking the stand.

Hollywood Police Chief Jeff Delvin released a statement following the outcome, which read, in part:

“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. Although the verdict did not reflect that outcome, this murderer will spend the rest of his life behind bars without any possibility of parole. We do, however, respect the judicial process and the dedication of those who carried it forward.”

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