Blog

VANCOUVER, Washington – A Washington state man found guilty of murder for his role in the 2022 death of a police officer who was mistakenly shot by a deputy sheriff was sentenced to 29 years in prison Friday.

A Clark County Superior Court judge sentenced Julio Segura of Yakima in the death of Vancouver police officer Donald Sahota, The Columbian reported. More than a dozen people gave statements about Sahota in court before the sentencing.

A Clark County jury convicted Segura, 23, last month of first-degree murder, premeditated murder, robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle and eluding police. He was acquitted of attempted murder, attempted kidnapping and burglary with premeditated theft.

The jury deliberated for eight hours after a trial lasting several weeks.

Sahota, 52, was off-duty and at home in the city of Battle Ground on Jan. 29, 2022, the day he was fatally shot. Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies had been pursuing Segura in connection with an armed robbery at a gas station in Sahota’s neighborhood.

Segura stabbed Sahota as the two wrestled in Sahota’s driveway. Moments later, Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy Jonathan Feller arrived and mistakenly shot Sahota. Medical examiners said Sahota died of gunshot wounds to the upper body.

Prosecutors argued that Segura caused Sahota’s death by committing or attempting to commit other crimes and by behaving in a manner that posed a serious risk of death to any person.

During Thursday’s hearing, Sahota’s wife, Dawnese Sahota, praised Judge Nancy Retsinas for her husband’s resilience and work ethic, saying 33 years with him were not enough.

“This tragedy, which is now my reality, has broken my heart,” she said. “Shocked.”

She said she held Segura 100 percent responsible for her husband’s death because he caused the confusion that led to his shooting.

Vancouver Police Chief Jeff Mori told the judge about Sahota’s compassion as a trainer for the department and how he always taught officers to treat the people they encounter as they would want to be treated.

Sahota’s mother, Darlene Baun, shared memories of her son’s childhood and how they struggled with abuse and homelessness as a boy. “I’m so proud of my son. He went through so much and always tried to do good,” she said. “He loved helping people.”

Prosecutor Tony Golik asked the judge to give Segura the maximum sentence, calling Segura’s actions “dangerous, violent and self-centered.”

Segura apologized to the Sahota family at the hearing.

“I understand that there is nothing I can say to ease all the pain I have caused,” Segura said. “I can’t say anything except that I am sorry from the bottom of my heart.”

Segura’s defense team presented about 1,200 pages of documents detailing Segura’s turbulent childhood, including stays in foster care and counseling, and asked the judge to consider a shorter sentence.