JOURDANTON — Shaun Puente has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing San Antonio police officer Bobby Deckard.
After weeks of deliberation, the jury could not decide on the death penalty for Puente, which resulted in a hung jury. Therefore, Puente was automatically given life without parole.
Officer Deckard's family spoke to media Friday afternoon after the sentencing. They told reporters that they "didn't get everything we wanted, but we feel we did get justice for Bobby."
On March 21, a jury found Shaun Puente guilty of capital murder. According to police back in 2013, Puentes was in the car with a woman named Jenevieve Ramos. They led officers on a high-speed chase from San Antonio to Atascosa County.
Police said Puente began shooting at officers and one of the bullet's hit officer Bobby Deckard in the head. Deckard died two weeks later.
On Monday, the state highlighted Puente's criminal history and shed light on his abusive behavior. One witness testified that when she was 14-years-old, Puente approached her at a park when she was babysitting two children. She said Puente began groping her and then, physically assaulted her. She said this was only the second time she met Puente.
His ex-wife also took the stand and told the jury he was often abusive towards her during their five-year relationship. She recalled the time Puente's family confronted him about the abuse. She said he became angry and pulled out a knife. She said his father wrestled away the weapon. She said later at home, Puente took out his anger on her by beating her.