MIAMI – Fifteen-year-old Vito Corleone Venisse remained hospitalized on Friday after a sergeant shot him on Jan. 16 in Brownsville. He had to appear in court nonetheless.
A correction officer watched Vito, as he faced a computer’s camera to communicate with Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Scott Bernstein, who was in court.
“I can’t move. I can’t move my neck. I can’t move my legs, my arms. I barely can breathe,” Vito said, appearing drowsy.
Officers accused Vito of running away from police officers and of getting into a scuffle with a sergeant when he got shot. Officers said he was armed with a firearm. Officers found more weapons inside the crashed car and the others who were with Vito got away.
Attorney Jarlens B. Princilis, who is representing Vito, released a statement on Friday evening saying Vito was not the driver of the car that crashed while speeding away from police.
“The evidence obtained by the department to prove the State’s case is fruit of the poisonous tree and should be suppressed. The legality of this traffic stop is highly questionable. They’re filing additional charges because they’re desperate and nervous,” Princilis wrote in an e-mail.
Records show Vito has a criminal record dating back to when he was 11 years old. Bernstein had some kind words for him on Friday.
“I was very worried you weren’t going to make it, so I’m very happy to see you today. I know you still have a long road ahead of you, but you’re alive and I’m really happy to see that,” Bernstein told Vito.
The teen is facing charges of firearm possession by a minor, resisting an officer without violence, concealed firearm carry, and trespass of an unoccupied structure. His next hearing is at 9:30 a.m., on April 8.
6 p.m. report