MIAMI — Opening statements wrapped up Tuesday in the vessel homicide trial of South Florida real estate mogul George Pino after his “emotional behaviors” derailed the first day of his trial. The state then moved to call its first witness, the victim’s father.
Lawyers originally couldn’t finish their opening statements Monday, as the 55-year-old Pino continually broke down in court, prompting a recess for the day.
Pino is charged in the death of Lucy Fernandez, 17, after a boat crash on 2022’s Labor Day weekend. Her father, Andy Fernandez, was the state’s first witness on Tuesday. He testified about the last time he hugged his daughter before a “beautiful afternoon” took a tragic turn ― and the frantic search for her after the crash.
“She gave me a hug,” he said. “And I remember it because it’s the last time I held her alive.”
Authorities said Pino, then 52, was behind the wheel of a 29-foot Robalo boat in the early evening hours of Sept. 4, 2022 when he lost control and slammed it into a channel marker near Boca Chita Key, killing Lucy Fernandez. Two other girls were seriously hurt, including 17-year-old Katerina Puig.
Andy Fernandez also testified Tuesday to identifying her body at the hospital and his daughter’s relationship with the Pino family.
Andy Fernandez said he did not believe Pino was impaired at the time he met with the group on the boat before they parted ways and departed for the Ocean Reef Club.
A passenger on the boat, Camila Alvarez, also testified on Tuesday.
“I just remember a jolt where I pop up and the boat capsizes,” Alvarez testified.
Alvarez additionally testified that the Pinos provided alcohol for both the adults and teenagers. She recounted the chaotic moments after the crash.
“I do hear someone telling me, ‘Lucy, Lucy,’ like ‘She’s not here, she’s not here,’” Alvarez testified, saying she saw Pino in the water with “hands kind of just on the boat.”
An attorney who was involved in the civil case against Pino additionally testified about a document he filled out where he referenced post-crash statements he made to FWC ― and doubled down on his claim that a second vessel caused the crash.
Attorney Brent Reitman read from the document, that stated, “The wake of the unidentified vessel headed northbound was a contributing legal cause of the incident in question.”
Prosecutors, in their opening statements on Monday, called that claim a “fabrication” and a “falsehood” that Pino maintained “long after the day of this tragedy.”
Jurors also heard from other witnesses, including a good Samaritan who came upon the scene and helped, as well as one of the investigators involved.
They were sent home at around 5:30 p.m. and were scheduled to come back on Wednesday morning.
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