Colorado Springs, Colo. – Justin Kula has been found guilty on multiple charges, including manslaughter, vehicular homicide, third-degree assault, and leaving the scene of an accident causing death, following the tragic death of Colorado parole officer Christine Guerin Sandoval in 2023.
The verdict was delivered on Wednesday afternoon after the jury deliberated for just over 40 minutes. The charges stemmed from a fatal encounter that took place in September 2023, near I-25 and Bijou, just west of downtown Colorado Springs. According to court records and witness testimony, Sandoval was attempting to make contact with Kula, who was seated in a vehicle. As Sandoval approached, Kula reportedly accelerated and struck her with his car before fleeing the scene, leaving the officer gravely injured.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, but Sandoval succumbed to her injuries. Authorities launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, and Kula was later arrested in connection with the incident.
The trial, which began the previous Monday, saw emotional testimonies from witnesses and law enforcement officials, all of whom detailed the harrowing events leading up to Sandoval’s death. Kula’s actions were described as reckless and intentional by the prosecution, who argued that he should have been fully aware of the consequences of fleeing the scene.
Kula’s defense team maintained that he had not intended to cause harm and claimed the officer’s death was an unfortunate accident. However, the jury rejected this argument and found Kula guilty on all counts.
The conviction is a significant moment for the Colorado Springs community, which is still grappling with the loss of Sandoval, who had been serving as a parole officer for several years. Family members and colleagues of Sandoval expressed their grief after the verdict, remembering her as a dedicated public servant who lost her life in the line of duty.
Kula is scheduled to be sentenced in the coming weeks, with the possibility of facing significant prison time for the charges he was convicted of. The case serves as a somber reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face on a daily basis and the consequences of evading responsibility for such reckless actions.
