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Dec 9, 2025
Sentence reduced for man who rammed patrol car, killing California cvop in 2014
East Bay Times
A 32-year-old man convicted of murder and gross vehicular manslaughter for slamming his SUV into a police car in 2014, killing an officer and critically injuring his partner during a Harbor City pursuit, had his sentence reduced to 22 years to life in state prison after a change in state law.
Mynor Enrique Varela was originally sentenced in 2018 to life without the chance of parole after his conviction for the May 3, 2014, death of Officer Roberto Sanchez, who served with the Los Angeles Police Department's Harbor Division and was a six-year member of the force and a 32-year-old newlywed.
Under the law, which went into effect in 2023, inmates can file a petition for resentencing. A judge can consider rehabilitation, among other things, in ruling whether to modify the sentence.
Varela has been behind bars since the crash.
Judge James D. Otto said he considered Varela's behavior as well as statements from Sanchez's partner on the night of the crash and another responding officer. Otto struck a special circumstance tied to the murder charge.
Varela, who didn't speak at his original sentencing in 2018, read a letter Wednesday while appearing for the hearing virtually.
"Officer Roberto Sanchez was a good man, husband and member of his family," Varela said. "If it wasn't for my selfish actions, he would be here today."
Varela, who has since gotten married and has a 4-month-old daughter, said every time he holds his daughter, "I understand the joy I took from Roberto Sanchez and his wife."
He said he wants to "continue to live a life of service in (Sanchez's) honor," continues to live a sober life and wants to give back to his community.
"I choose to share my story with others so they do not take the destructive path I took," he said.
Still, the officers who spoke Wednesday urged Otto to maintain Varela's original sentence.
"This individual's request to have his conviction overturned further proves the individual has no remorse or care for what he has done," sai
