South Florida man seeks to withdraw guilty plea in killing of Hollywood police officer
The South Florida man who pleaded guilty to killing a Hollywood police officer is now seeking to withdraw that plea.
Just days before he was scheduled to be sentenced to life in prison, Jason Banegas, 23, told a Broward County judge that he wants to change his plea to not guilty.
Banegas pleaded guilty in October to the 2021 shooting death of Hollywood Police Officer Yandy Chirino, which occurred after a physical struggle. He was charged with first-degree murder and faced the possibility of the death penalty, even after entering the guilty plea.
In December, a jury recommended life in prison as his sentence. Under Florida law, at least eight of 12 jurors must recommend the death penalty for it to be imposed in a first-degree murder case.
Banegas told Judge Ernest Kollra on Monday that he first raised the issue of changing his plea with his attorneys in December, during the penalty phase of his trial. Court proceedings were briefly delayed at that time as attorneys and the judge discussed the matter privately.
Judge Kollra set a hearing for March 6 to consider Banegas’ request. If the motion is granted, the case would proceed to a new trial.
It remains unclear whether the Broward State Attorney’s Office would seek the death penalty if the plea is withdrawn.
Dozens of Hollywood police officers attended the penalty phase of the trial in December to show support for Officer Chirino and his family.
Chirino encountered Banegas while searching for a burglary suspect in the Emerald Hills neighborhood of Hollywood. Investigators said the two became involved in a struggle, during which Banegas — who was armed — shot Chirino twice, killing him.
