Man Pleads Guilty to Murder of Hollywood Police Officer Yandy Chirino

Guilty Plea in Officer's Murder

• 🎯 Jason Benegas changed his plea to guilty for the fatal shooting of Hollywood Officer Yandy Chirino in 2021.
• ⚖️ This plea comes after four years of waiting for a trial by Chirino's family and the Hollywood Police Department.

Details of the Crime

• 🗓️ The crime occurred in October 2021 amidst a series of vehicle break-ins in a Hollywood neighborhood.
• 👮 Officer Chirino was responding to a call about the break-ins and became involved in a scuffle with Benegas.
• 🔫 Investigators state that Benegas, then 18, fired a stolen gun, hitting Officer Chirino in the face, who later died from his injuries.

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

• 🧑‍⚖️ Jury selection for the murder trial had begun the previous week.
• ⚡ Benegas, now 22, was not involved in a negotiated plea.
• 📅 Jury selection continued on Monday for the death penalty phase, which is expected to begin on November 17th.
• 👨‍⚖️ A jury will decide if Benegas will receive the death penalty.

Law Enforcement Response

• 🚔 The Hollywood Police Chief stated that anyone who hurts or kills a police officer will face the full weight of the justice system and the highest penalties.
• ✅ The Chief views the guilty plea as the first step towards accountability, emphasizing that it is not the end of the process.