Man convicted of killing Washington police officer shot by deputy sentenced to 29 years in prison

VANCOUVER, Washington — A Washington state man convicted of murder for his role in the 2022 death of a police officer mistakenly shot by a sheriff's deputy was sentenced Friday to 29 years in prison.

A Clark County Superior Court judge convicted Julio Segura of Yakima in the death of Vancouver police officer Donald Sahota, The Columbian reported. More than a dozen people made statements about Sahota in court before the sentencing.

Last month, a Clark County jury convicted Segura, 23, of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle and evading police. He was acquitted of attempted murder, attempted kidnapping and first-degree burglary.

The jury deliberated for eight hours after a trial that lasted several weeks.

Sahota, 52, was off-duty and at home in the city of Battle Ground on Jan. 29, 2022, the day he was fatally shot. Law enforcement from multiple agencies had pursued Segura to Sahota’s neighborhood in connection with an armed robbery at a gas station.

Segura stabbed Sahota as the two fought in Sahota's driveway. Moments later, Clark County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Feller arrived and mistakenly shot Sahota. Coroners said Sahota died from gunshot wounds to the torso.

Prosecutors argued that Segura caused Sahota's death by committing or attempting to commit other crimes, saying he “engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of death to any person.”

During Thursday's hearing, Sahota's wife, Dawnese Sahota, spoke to Judge Nancy Retsinas about her husband's resilience and work ethic. She said her 33 years with him were not enough.

“This tragedy that is now my reality has broken my heart,” she said. “Broken. »

She said she holds Segura 100% responsible for her husband's death by creating the confusion that led to his shooting.

Vancouver Police Chief Jeff Mori spoke to the judge about Sahota's compassion as a trainer for the agency and how he always taught officers to treat the people they encounter as they would want to be treated.

Darlene Baun, Sahota’s mother, shared memories of her son’s childhood and their struggles with abuse and homelessness as a young boy. “I’m so proud of my son. He went through so much and he always tried to do good,” she said. “He loved helping people.”

Prosecutor Tony Golik asked the judge to sentence Segura to the maximum sentence. He called Segura's actions “dangerous, violent and self-centered.”

Segura apologized to the Sahota family during the hearing.

“I understand that there is nothing I can say to ease all the pain I have caused,” Segura said. “There is nothing I can say except that from the bottom of my heart, I am sorry.”

Segura's defense team submitted about 1,200 pages of records detailing Segura's tumultuous upbringing, including stints in foster care and counseling. They asked the judge to consider a shorter sentence.