COLORADO SPRINGS — A jury in Colorado Springs has decided a man found guilty of running over and killing Colorado Parole Officer Christine Guerin Sandoval will be sentenced as a habitual offender.
WATCH: Man accused of running over and killing parole officer found guilty on multiple charges
Officer Guerin Sandoval was hit and killed by 42-year-old Justin Kula as she and two other Parole Officers tried to arrest him. Kula will be sentenced in May.
WATCH: Officer Christine Guerin Sandoval identified as victim of fatal hit-and-run crash
On Wednesday, a jury found Kula guilty on the following charges:
- failure to fulfill duty after a traffic accident involving death
- manslaughter
- third-degree assault
- vehicular manslaughter
The incident happened in September of 2023 on North Spruce Street, which is located just west of Downtown Colorado Springs.
WATCH: Officers hospitalized following hit-and-run
Colorado law defines a habitual offender as someone who has been convicted of three or more felonies, all committed at separate times within 10 years.
Habitual offender laws in Colorado date back to 1929, according to the Colorado Legislative Council Staff.
Previous Coverage
After more than a year, the trial for a man accused of running over and allegedly causing the death of a Pueblo Parole Officer will begin Monday, February 10 at 9:00 a.m. as the court begins its jury selection process.
Judge David Shakes set the trial time and denied a motion filed by the defense to dismiss the habitual offender statute that Kula is facing. During the pretrial readiness hearing, Judge Shakes denied this motion.
As News5 has previously reported Kula has an extensive criminal background that extends across several states.
WATCH: Fatal hit-and-run suspect has lengthy criminal record
Watch News5 Dive Into Justin Kula's Extensive Criminal Background
Kula is facing the following charges:
- manslaughter
- vehicular manslaughter
- assault
- accident involving death or personal injuries
He is accused of killing Officer Guerin Sandoval in September of 2023 after he fled while she and two other parole officers were attempting to make contact with him in Colorado Springs.
Sandoval was a longstanding member of the southern Colorado law enforcement community and was a member of the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office from 2007-2019. In 2018, Sandoval was awarded the 2018 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award.
Following her loss, both the Colorado Springs and Pueblo communities paid their respects as a procession was held between the two cities.
WATCH: Procession held to take the body of fallen Parole Officer Christine Guerin Sandoval to her hometown
Watch the procession and escort of Colorado parole officer Christine Guerin Sandoval
___
Pueblo School District 60 addressing enrollment decline with community meetings
Along with many districts in Colorado, Pueblo School District 60 has seen a decline in enrollment, resulting in underutilized buildings.
____
Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.
