Man sentenced to at least 16 years for killing Detroit Officer Myron Jarrett
(WJBK) - Lincoln Park resident Steven Guzina was sentenced Monday to 16 years minimum for killing Detroit police officer Myron Jarrett last October.
He was charged with second-degree murder, operating while intoxicated (OWI) causing death, OWI causing serious bodily injury, failure to stop at scene of accident when at fault resulting in death, reckless driving causing death, and reckless driving causing serious impairment of a body function. In July, Guzina entered a no contest plea to the charges.
Officer Jarrett was responding to an accident scene at Puritan and Monica when Guzina hit him with his car. He later died from his injuries at Sinai Grace Hospital.
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Guzina was high on crack cocaine during the incident, and fled the scene on foot. Police arrested him after a short manhunt.
Jarrett's wife spoke prior to the sentencing, detailing how the loss has changed their family forever. She and Myron were high school sweethearts and were raising four children.
"Because of Mr. Guzina, I no longer have my soul mate and my children no longer have a father," she said. "My husband was all we knew for the last 22 years. He was our everything, and to have him ripped from our lives is a pain I wish on no one
Defense then read a statement on Guzina's behalf.
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"I am so, so sorry," the statement said. "I wish we could trade places. Police officers will accomplish more in one year than I will in an entire lifetime. ... I wish I could think of a stronger word than sorry."
Wayne Circuit Court Judge Timothy Kenny sentenced Guzina to a minimum of 16 years and a maximum of 20.
Watch the full proceeding below on FOX 2 News Now with Kellie Rowe: