The wounds from the murder of Cuban officer Yandy Chirino were reopened this Tuesday in a Broward courtroom as prosecutors played a video capturing the agonizing final moments when his best friend and patrol partner discovered him critically injured after being shot.
Described by local media as "devastating," the footage is part of the death penalty phase against Jason Banegas, the 22-year-old who admitted to the crime and now faces a possible death sentence in Florida.
According to Local 10 News, surveillance footage was shown in court, revealing the exact moment when Detective Manuel Rodríguez-Blevins, Chirino's closest friend, arrived at the scene to find him struggling with Banegas.
Rodríguez-Blevins found officer Chirino gravely injured, having suffered two gunshots to the face. Overcome with emotion, he wept as he recalled the incident. "He was pointing to his face, he was shot," he tearfully recounted, as reported by the media outlet.
Meanwhile, Banegas remained seated in the courtroom, showing no emotion as the images played, as reported by the television station.
Local 10 highlights that Banegas, then 18, fired two shots into Chirino's face, knocking out teeth and leaving him dying as he attempted to fulfill his duty.
The detective shared through tears how he tried to save his friend, but was forced to pause his efforts repeatedly as Banegas continued to resist and attempt escape. Once subdued, Rodríguez-Blevins carried Chirino to his patrol car and rushed him to the hospital.
Another portion of the video showed an officer dropping to his knees outside the emergency room, throwing his hat to the ground and sobbing uncontrollably as Chirino was wheeled into intensive care.
Rodríguez-Blevins couldn't hold back his emotions as he recounted what he witnessed that night. The judge, despite not watching the footage, was deeply affected by the harrowing testimony, according to the television report.
Meanwhile, NBC News confirms that a jury will decide whether to recommend the death penalty or life imprisonment for Banegas, although the final decision lies with the judge.
The Impact on the Cuban-American Community
This stage of the trial comes just weeks after Banegas changed his plea to guilty on all ten counts against him, including first-degree murder with a firearm, as reported in October by Local 10 and Telemundo 51. This turn of events has propelled the proceedings directly towards sentencing, closing four years of anticipation for the fallen officer's family and the Hollywood community.
Chirino, born in Havana and raised in Miami, was killed on October 17, 2021, while responding to a report of a suspicious person checking cars on North Hills Drive. Banegas, then 18, was armed with a stolen weapon and shot him during a struggle, according to the police investigation.
The officer was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries hours later. His death sent shockwaves through the Hollywood Police Department, where he was regarded as an exemplary young officer: a graduate of FIU, recognized multiple times for his performance, and named "Officer of the Month" in June 2020.
Thousands attended his funeral, with his family remembering that "he died doing what he loved: helping people." The crime even reached the attacker's family, as Banegas' 17-year-old sister was arrested weeks later for the theft of the weapon used in the murder.
The sentencing phase is set to continue in the coming days.
Key Questions About the Trial and Sentencing
What charges did Jason Banegas plead guilty to?
Jason Banegas pleaded guilty to ten charges, including first-degree murder with a firearm.
How did the crime affect the Hollywood Police Department?
The crime deeply affected the Hollywood Police Department, where Yandy Chirino was viewed as an exemplary officer and his death was a significant loss to the department.
Who will decide Banegas' final sentence?
While a jury will recommend either the death penalty or life imprisonment, the final decision will rest with the judge.