Family Says ‘Justice Wasn’t Served’ After Daughter’s Killer Released From Prison

A Tulsa woman said she’s frustrated after the man who was sent to prison for the death of her 15-year-old cousin, served only a year of his ten-year sentence.

Jose Zamarripa was released from prison in June and is now back in jail accused of being in trouble with the law, again.

Britney Urena was shot and killed at a party in 2018. Her family said it's been a painful year and a half. They said Britney's life was worth more than one year in prison.

"It's been really hard. I mean it is a pain that never goes away,” said Denise Urena, Britney’s cousin.

Denise Urena said her cousin Britney was like a shining light, everywhere she went. She said it's tough because they still don't know exactly what happened the night Britney was shot and killed.

"You never know why it happened. You never understand it,” Urena said. “I feel like with him in jail we definitely felt some type of peace, but knowing he’s out, we just feel like the system failed her.”  

Jose Zamarippa pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2019 in connection to Britney's death. Records show Zamarripa got into trouble twice while in prison.  After serving 13 months in prison, he was released in June to immigration, then ICE released him due to a medical condition. The judge suspended the remainder of Zamarripa’s sentence.

Zamarripa is now in jail, accused of violating his suspended sentence, after Bixby Police said he was involved in a fight in Bixby, where someone fired a gun.

"It's an awful tragedy for this family,” said Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler. “We are looking at a case where someone has killed another human being, and quite frankly I don't care about his medical condition. I think he needs to be in prison. He gets released on the judicial review and is back out in our community.”

Britney's mom and cousin said the justice system failed Britney and her family.

"She said she can't believe the judge only gave him a year and he's out making trouble again,” said Urena, translating for Britney’s mother, Martha Izagaga. “She feels like Britney's life was worth a lot more than that, especially with everything she had ahead of her and everything he stole from her."

News On 6 called Zamarripa's attorney for comment but we are still waiting to hear back.