Jury reconvenes for Day 2 in death penalty trial of man who shot and killed Hollywood Police officer

The second day in the sentencing of a man who killed a Hollywood Police officer and now faces the death penalty got underway in a Broward County courtroom A jury reconvened Wednesday in the death penalty trial of now -year-old Jason Banegas who killed Hollywood Police Officer Yandy Chirino back in Banegas sat stone-faced in the courtroom as he awaits the jury s decision Jurors are now tasked with deciding whether he ll serve life in prison or be sentenced to death In court Wednesday jurors listened to testimony and observed evidence that included autopsy photos as they prepare to make a decision The morning s proceedings were routine in nature when compared to emotional testimony from two Hollywood Police officers who broke down on the stand Tuesday His death didn t just take a friend away from me it took away a future he deserved to live revealed Hollywood Police Officer Henry Martinez The officers who took the stand remembered their friend and fallen officer who was killed in the line of duty I am grateful that I had the privilege to know him to walk through life beside him revealed Martinez Chirino s life was tragically cut short in October when then -year-old Banegas shot him to death The defendant has since pleaded guilty It took away a future he deserved to live it took away his hopes his plans his moments that will never happen announced Martinez According to police Chirino was shot by Banegas in an armed struggle when Chirino responded to reports of an individual checking car handles for unlocked vehicles Other officers raced to help when Chirino was shot in the midst of the fight that broke out when the pair made contact He was pointing at his face explained Hollywood Police Detective Manuel Rodriguez-Blevins What could you see reported a prosecutor I could tell that he d been shot explained Rodriguez-Blevins Martinez recounted his final moments with Chirino to the court How did you know Officer Chirino was still alive on the drive to the hospital urged the prosecutor He was squeezing my finger mentioned Martinez Officer Chirino would not survive In court Tuesday his friends on the force advised the jury he was one of a kind I had the privilege of knowing one of the best human beings God has created a man who loved his family loved his job and lived every day fully noted Martinez Only eight of the jurors have to vote yes in order for Banegas to be sentenced to death