Miami actual property dealer George Pino didn’t make his first look earlier than a decide to reply misdemeanor negligent boating prices, however as a substitute pleaded not responsible Tuesday via his lawyer.
The listening to was held in Miami County Circuit Court docket, however Pino’s lawyer, Howard Srebnick, filed a movement with Miami-Dade County Decide Lisette Martinez by way of a Zoom name.
Pino, 52, was on the helm of the 29-foot Robalo middle boat on Sept. 4, 2022, driving from his daughter’s birthday celebration on Elliott Key to his trip dwelling on the Ocean Reef Membership, when he crashed the vessel into the ocean. Mounted channel mark in southern Biscayne Bay – throwing all 14 individuals on board into the water.
Luciana Fernandez, 17, died in hospital the following day from accidents sustained within the accident. Her classmate at Our Girl of Lourdes Academy, 18-year-old Katrina Puig, was left completely disabled.
State Fish and Wildlife Police decided that alcohol was not an element, though when the boat was recovered from the water the following day, they discovered – More than 60 empty alcohol bottles And the packing containers with a half-empty bottle of wine and a spent bottle of champagne on board.
The lead investigator wrote in his ultimate report that he didn’t observe Pino to indicate any indicators of impairment after the incident, and that Pino refused to voluntarily submit blood for alcohol testing as a result of his lawyer was not current.
Nevertheless, screenshots From the camera worn by the officer, which was launched to the Herald late final month, seems to inform a distinct story. Pino’s rapid response to his demand for blood was: “No. I’ve had a few beers.”
His lawyer was by no means introduced up as a result of he by no means confirmed up, in keeping with any footage launched to the Herald.
Based mostly on the officer’s report, the Miami-Dade State’s Lawyer’s Workplace mentioned it couldn’t search prices larger than the three counts of misdemeanor negligent boating that have been filed in August.
The end result of the investigation angered the Fernandez and Puig households. Puig’s household had already filed a lawsuit in opposition to Pino and his spouse Cecilia, who was additionally on the boat that day. Alleging that they served alcohol To all 12 teenage women who have been on board that day.
The Pinos – via courtroom filings within the pending case – have denied the accusation.
Each Fernandez and Puig declined to remark for this story. That they had beforehand issued statements criticizing the investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee and the fees finally filed by prosecutors.
The households additionally disputed the accusations as a result of they famous Pino’s account of why he misplaced management of his boat—{that a} bigger boat heading in his route had forged a shadow—was not corroborated by anybody on the boat or within the space that day.
Decide Martinez on Tuesday set a listening to for the case on October 3 at 10 a.m. She mentioned she hopes prosecutors and Pino’s attorneys shall be prepared for trial by late October or early November.