Mission, Kansas Man Sentenced for 2012 Involuntary Manslaughter Case

         Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces Mission, Kansas resident Justin P. Gonzalez, 23; was sentenced yesterday to 32 months prison for his conviction by a jury for the involuntary manslaughter of Mr. Nicholas Sardina.  Upon his release from prison, he must report for 24 months of post release supervision and register as a violent offender for 15 years.      This criminal case was first tried in December 2013 and concluded with a hung jury.  It was then re-tried in a weeklong trial in late May and early June of this year.

        The case began on February 25, 2012 when officers with the Lawrence Police Department were dispatched to the 1500 block of Tennessee Street regarding an unconscious, non-breathing twenty-seven year old male.  Mr. Sardina was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.  Officers learned through their investigation of the events that there was an altercation at a residence in the 300 block of 14^th Street earlier that day.  A group of young men began a fight in the residence and Gonzalez smashed a beer bottle over the back of Mr. Sardina’s head.

        During yesterday’s hearing, which was heard in front of the Honorable Peggy C. Kittel, the Court also heard motions for a new trial, for probation and an appeal bond.  The Court denied them all.  The Court did not resolve the issue of restitution and that will determined at a later hearing.  This case was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department and was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Eve Kemple and James McCabria.

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