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

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — A Washington state man has been convicted of murder for his role in 2022 police officer death who was 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 Colombian reportedMore than a dozen people gave statements about Sahota in court before the sentencing.

A Clark County Last month, the jury convicted Segura23, charged with 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 town of Battle Ground on Jan. 29, 2022, the day he was fatally shot. Law enforcement from several agencies had pursued Segura to the Sahota neighborhood in connection with an armed robbery at a gas station.

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

Prosecutors argued that Segura caused Sahota's death while committing or attempting to commit other crimes, saying he “engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of death for 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 told the judge about Sahota's compassion as a trainer for the agency and how he always taught officers to treat people they encounter as themselves would like to be treated.

Sahota's mother, Darlene Baun, shared memories of her son's childhood and his struggle with abuse and homelessness as a child. “I am so proud of my son. He’s been through so much and he’s 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. “I can't say anything except that from the bottom of my heart, I am sorry.”

Segura's defense team presented about 1,200 pages of documents detailing Segura's tumultuous upbringing, complete with stays in foster care and therapy sessions. They asked the judge to consider a shorter sentence.