(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Justin Kula, the suspect accused of hitting and killing Pueblo Parole Officer Christine Guerin Sandoval in September 2023 has been found guilty of four charges.

In Sept. 2023, Officer Sandoval and another parole officer got multiple calls from Kula’s ex-wife expressing concern for Kula’s medical condition and fears he was overdosing from drugs. Sandoval and the other officer searched for Kula to conduct a welfare check and found him sitting in his car at a strip mall on North Spruce Street, near West Bijou Street.

According to an affidavit, Officer Sandoval approached the driver’s side of Kula’s car while two other parole officers approached the passenger’s side. The officers were wearing ballistic vests and had their guns drawn, and Officer Sandoval’s vest was marked indicating she was law enforcement. The affidavit states another officer’s vest did not have markings and no officer could be heard identifying themselves. Officer Sandoval gave Kula instructions to show his hands and not to shift the car into gear, after which Kula put the car in reverse with both the driver’s and passenger’s side doors open.

The affidavit said Officer Sandoval did not have time to move away from the car and she and another officer on the passenger side were knocked to the ground. Kula backed into another vehicle then ran over Officer Sandoval and left the parking lot.

The prosecution argued Kula drove away from the scene without regard to having hit two people.

The defense argued parole officers approached Kula’s vehicle from behind, wearing no markings on their vests or vehicle showing they were law enforcement, and swarmed the car with their guns drawn. Kula, allegedly already in a paranoid state of mind, panicked and was not able to determine that it was law enforcement.

Kula faced multiple charges including Reckless Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, Third-Degree Assault, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.

Kula was found guilty on four charges:

Failure to Fulfill Duties after Involvement in a Vehicular Incident

Manslaughter

Third degree Assault

Vehicular homicide

The trial will have a second phase on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 8:30 a.m. concerning Habitual Criminal Charges. If Kula is labeled as a Habitual Offender, it will lead to significantly harsher prison sentences.

FOX21 News will follow the second phase of the trial and provide updates as we learn more about Kula’s sentencing.