MIAMI — A hearing is underway for prominent real estate developer George Pino, who is asking a judge to move his criminal case out of Miami-Dade County in connection with a deadly 2022 boating crash.
Defense attorney Howard Srebnick argued Wednesday that the case should be dismissed or, alternatively, transferred, as a judge began considering multiple motions in the high-profile case.
Judge Marissa Tinkler Mendez is considering Pino’s request to move the case out of the county, dismiss the charges altogether and other motions as well.
Tinkler Mendez said the proceedings could take a couple of days and she may not issue all rulings from the bench, noting she could reserve some decisions for a later date.
Courtroom 41 was packed for Wednesday’s hearing, which drew family members of the victims as well as supporters of Pino.
The case stems from a Labor Day weekend boating crash in 2022, when Pino was operating a vessel carrying his wife, teenage daughter and several of her friends. Investigators said the boat struck a channel marker in waters near Boca Chita Key, throwing passengers into the water.
Seventeen-year-old Lucy Fernandez was killed, and her friend Kathy Puig suffered serious, permanent injuries. Investigators also reported finding dozens of empty alcohol containers on board, and said Pino was seen on video stating he had two beers that day.
The defense has maintained there is no evidence Pino was intoxicated at the time of the crash.
Attorneys also argue he was not speeding and was otherwise following boating rules, contending the incident was the result of a brief lapse in attention.
“There is nothing to indicate anything other than, at best for the state, George Pino had a momentary lapse. He was distracted by something. It was inattention for a moment in time, but it wasn’t some conscious, willful, intentional decision to put people at risk,” Srebnick said. “And that’s what the court, I believe, has to wrestle with.”
Pino faces charges of vessel homicide and manslaughter.
Tinkler Mendez is also considering motions to exclude statements Pino made after the crash, with the defense arguing he suffered a head injury and that his account should not be used at trial.
Attorneys are also seeking to move the case out of Miami-Dade County, citing concerns over pretrial publicity and jury bias.
The state, meanwhile, is seeking to question potential jurors about their exposure to the case and is considering allowing jurors to visit the vessel as part of the proceedings.
Jury selection could begin as early as next week.
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