A Washington state man was found guilty of murder on Friday for his role in the 2022 death of a police officer who was shot by mistake by a sheriff’s deputy.
A Clark County jury convicted Julio Segura of Yakima of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, robbery, possession of a stolen car, and fleeing police in the killing of Vancouver police officer Donald Sahota, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.
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He was acquitted of other charges, including attempted murder.
On January 29, 2022, Sahota was at home in Battle Ground, off duty, when he tragically lost his life.
Segura robbed a gas station near Vancouver earlier that day, according to officials, and deputies pursued his car to Battle Ground.
According to authorities, Segura fled the scene after the automobile collided. Deputies, using a drone, observed him strolling down a street before heading toward the Sahota residence at the end of a private driveway.
According to court filings, drone video shows someone at the home opening the door and talking to Segura for many minutes before closing it again. Sahota’s wife contacted 911 to report that a man said he had crashed his automobile and needed assistance.
According to court filings, Sahota, 52, then went outside to hold Segura in the driveway, where Segura stabbed him three times during a fight. Segura dashed inside the house as Clark County deputies arrived.
According to the records, Deputy Jonathan Feller observed Sahota picking up a rifle and running toward the residence. Feller opened fire around four seconds after arriving and accidentally hit Sahota.
Coroners said Sahota died as a result of gunshot wounds to the torso.
Prosecutors said that Segura caused Sahota’s death by committing or attempting to commit other crimes, claiming that he “engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of death to any person.”
Segura’s defense did not contest the fact that he stole a car from a Yakima dealership and held up a gas station with a replica weapon. They claimed Segura was trapped by Sahota and that Feller opened fire carelessly on the scene.
Segura testified that he stabbed Sahota out of self-defense.
“It was a difficult case,” defense attorney Michele Michalek stated on Friday. “And I think Clark County needs to take a hard look at how they deal with officer-involved shootings.”
Ed Dunkerly, another defense lawyer, believes that law enforcement personnel require additional training. When asked whether he would appeal, Segura stated that the defense has a good case.
Prosecutor Tony Golik did not respond to Oregon Public Broadcasting’s inquiries for comment. Last year, Golik stated that Feller would not face criminal charges because he behaved in “good faith” during a chaotic incident while responding to an armed robbery suspect.
The ruling came after a team of prosecutors reviewed the incident and couldn’t agree on the “reasonableness” of Feller’s use of force.
In a statement issued Friday, Vancouver Police Chief Jeff Mori stated that Sahota’s family and friends had been waiting a long time.
“While we are grateful for this verdict, the pain and tragedy of Don’s death remain,” Mori declared.
Sentencing is set for June 27.
