Trial for man accused in deadly 2022 boat crash will continue on in Miami-Dade County, judge rules

Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez has ruled not to dismiss the charges against George Pino and not to change the trial venue from Miami-Dade County.

Pino sat at the defense table Thursday as his attorneys argued to keep certain evidence out of his upcoming trial in connection with the 2022 boat crash that killed two teenage girls near Biscayne Bay.

During the hearing, jurors heard from Pino's wife, Cecilia Pino, for the first time about interviews and written statements the couple gave after the crash. Pino's daughter, Carolina, embraced her father before the hearing began while the parents of victims Lucy Fernandez and Katy Puig sat across the courtroom.

Cecilia Pino, the only other adult aboard the boat on Sept. 4, 2022, testified briefly about the crash.

Prosecutors called Cecilia Pino to the stand to question her about written statements she and her husband voluntarily completed after the crash. Under questioning by a prosecutor, Cecilia Pino confirmed she was on the boat that day and that "We had an accident that day," adding the boat "crashed into something, correct?"

She testified she "did not" see how the crash occurred. When asked if she had alcohol the day prior to the crash, she responded, "I did," but said she did not know if her husband also drank alcohol.

Pino's attorneys are seeking to suppress statements he made to investigators immediately after the crash that were captured on body camera footage. The defense argued media reports have suggested Pino appeared intoxicated following the collision, but attorneys contend his behavior was caused by a head injury rather than alcohol.

Cecilia Pino testified after the lead investigator with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. During questioning by the defense, FWC investigator William Thompson testified he did not observe typical signs of intoxication. Thompson said he did not smell alcohol on Pino and did not observe bloodshot, glassy or watery eyes on him, nor was Pino's speech slurred.

While the defense argued Pino was not advised of his Miranda rights before speaking with investigators, prosecutors said the body camera footage shows he spoke voluntarily. "The defendant is the one who volunteers additional information," Miami-Dade Assistant State Attorney Laura Adams argued in court. "If anything was ambiguous in terms of a Miranda waiver, this is it," she said.

Tinkler Mendez is scheduled to decide Monday whether to suppress post-crash interviews from the trial and intends to start jury screening that afternoon.