Verdict reached for Justin Kula, accused of running over & killing parole officer in 2023

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - A Colorado Springs jury has found the man accused of running over a parole officer with his car and killing her in 2023, guilty of vehicular homicide, manslaughter and other charges on Wednesday, marking an emotional end to a long legal process for loved ones.

In late September of 2023, Justin Kula was wanted after he allegedly failed to check in with his parole officer. On Sept. 28, 2023, parole officers attempted to stop him in the parking lot of a convenience store.

After a confrontation, Kula allegedly tried to get away, quickly backing his vehicle out of the parking spot he was in, before speeding out of the lot, hitting several cars, and fatally running over Parole Officer Christine Guerin Sandoval in the process.

His arrest affidavit showed he had been using meth and heroin at the time of the incident. He also told police he that thought he was being robbed, and claimed he did not know Sandoval was a law enforcement officer, when she and others opened his car door.

His defense team explained similar sentiments in their Opening Arguments of the trial on Monday, February 10, calling Officer Sandoval's death a tragedy, but not a crime.

Conversely, the prosecution, led by Rachel Powell, the Chief Deputy District of the 4th Judicial DA's office, argued that the officers were wearing marked uniforms, and that Kula had fled from the scene.

After 8 days in trial, Kula was found guilty by the jury, which was comprised of 8 women and 6 men, with two alternates not partaking in the deliberation, on all four counts he was accused of:

• Vehicular Homicide (Felony)
• Leaving the scene of the crime (Felony)
• Manslaughter (Felony)
• 3rd-Degree Assault (Misdemeanor)

Dassity Miller, a former coworker with Sandoval in the Pueblo County Sheriffs Office, along with Sandoval's family, shedding tears and hugging one another outside the courtroom after the verdict.

"I think this trial has been emotional, the past year and a half has been just like a never ending nightmare." Miller explained, holding hands with another loved one as she spoke on Wednesday.

The family states, the loss still bears heavy despite justice being served to Christine's now convicted killer.

"She loved her kids. She was she was more than any of that life. She loved everyone so fierce. And when she loved you, she loved your heart. And she was just the greatest person I think that we've ever met."

Their efforts now turn towards more accountability, beyond just the man who took their beloved wife, sister, aunt, and friend from their lives.

Miller says she wants to see laws change to better protect parole officers, not only by allowing them to do their jobs more directly, but by also keeping dangerous criminals off of parole and keeping them in jail.

"Giving parole more leeway to go back and do the jobs that they're set out to do, which is hold these prisoners accountable, keep them in jail. We're tired of this catching and release system that we have." Miller stated, explaining that the 'fight has just begun' for Sandoval.

The case for Kula is not complete yet. On Thursday morning, the very same jury will take part in Phase Two of the trial, which will center around whether or not Kula is guilty of three habitual offender charges, which serve as sentence enhancers to the four counts he was convicted of.

KRDO13 Investigates has previously reported that Kula had 13 prior felony convictions in the state of Texas, along with 18 arrests, and it's for that reason, that if Kula is convicted of being a habitual criminal, his sentence could balloon to as many as 36 years in prison.

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