Death penalty hearing underway for man who pled guilty in 2021 Hollywood officer killing

Defense attorneys on Monday are urging a jury to spare the life of a man who pleaded guilty to the 2021 killing of a Hollywood Police officer.

Jason Banegas, 22, could face the death penalty for fatally shooting Officer Yandy Chirino after he pleaded guilty to 10 different charges, including first-degree murder in the October 2021 killing of Officer Chirino.

Banegas’s defense opened its arguments and asked jurors not to recommend the death penalty for him.

For a full hour, his attorneys described Banegas’s upbringing as difficult, and told jurors he grew up poor, without a father, and a mother who wasn’t nurturing or caring.

They claim he and his siblings were often left alone in their home in Miami without food or supervision.

Baegas was 18 years old when he encountered Officer Chirino as police searched for a burglary suspect in Hollywood back in October of 2021.

The two wrestled for a gun, and Banegas shot Chirino twice.

His defense team is asking for jurors to have mercy on him.

“Everyone agrees Jason should be punished, without a doubt,” said Krista Richman, a defense attorney. “Life in prison without parole is a severe enough penalty.”

State prosecutors presented evidence and witness testimony for four days last week, with hopes of convincing the jury to recommend the death penalty.

Since Banegas pleaded guilty to murder two months ago, the case went straight to the penalty phase.

His attorneys said admitting to the crime showed that he’s remorseful and deserves to live.

For Banegas to receive the death penalty, eight out of 12 jurors would need to recommend it, and the judge would have to agree.