Verdict and Background
George Pino, a Miami real estate developer, was found not guilty in connection with a boat crash near Boca Chita Key in Biscayne Bay in September 2022. The crash resulted in the death of 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez and inflicted permanent disabilities on another teenager, Katy Puig. Pino was acquitted of second-degree manslaughter and vessel homicide charges.
Trial and Testimony
The verdict followed an eight-day trial in South Florida characterized by emotional testimonies. Prosecutors insisted Pino acted recklessly by crashing his boat into a channel marker during Labor Day weekend in 2022. However, the defense argued the collision was accidental.
“We are grateful to the jurors for their careful consideration of the evidence and for reaching a just verdict,” stated Howard Srebnick, Pino’s lead defense attorney.
Uncontested eyewitness accounts indicated that Pino was not impaired and was not operating the vessel recklessly. He was said to have taken immediate action to safeguard his passengers following the crash.
Reaction to the Verdict
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle expressed disappointment with the jury’s decision but accepted the outcome. She highlighted the tragic nature of the incidents involving Fernandez and Puig, emphasizing that she and her prosecutors considered Pino’s actions as reckless, warranting criminal charges under Florida law.
“Sadly, this verdict offers no solace to the Fernandez and Puig families who are forced to live with the consequences of that day,” she remarked.
Incident Details
On September 4, 2022, Pino and his wife hosted a birthday party for their daughter on the family’s 29-foot boat. Investigators reported that the vessel collided with a channel marker while returning to the dock near Boca Chita Key. Pino reportedly noted another boat’s wake distracted him, leading to the collision.
The crash resulted in everyone on board being thrown overboard, and it caused substantial damage to the boat. Out of 14 passengers, eleven sustained injuries, including six taken to the hospital. Fernandez died later due to the injuries she incurred, while Puig suffered a traumatic brain injury.