Jury Finds George Pino Not Guilty After Closing Arguments
George Pino’s vessel homicide and manslaughter trial ended with a not guilty verdict after closing arguments. Pino had been on trial in Miami-Dade County in connection with the September 2022 boat crash near Boca Chita Key that killed 17-year-old Luciana “Lucy” Fernandez and left Katerina “Katy” Puig permanently injured. Public reporting before the verdict said closing arguments were scheduled for Monday after both sides rested the week before.
The Case Against Pino
Prosecutors argued that Pino was reckless when he operated the boat through the channel before striking a marker and capsizing the vessel.
During trial, the state focused on GPS evidence, speed, navigation rules, Pino’s statements after the crash, alcohol-related evidence, and testimony about the emergency response after impact.
The prosecution’s position was that the crash was not just a tragic accident, but criminally reckless conduct.
The Defense Argument
The defense argued that the crash was a tragic accident, not a crime.
Pino’s attorneys emphasized that there was no posted speed limit in the channel, that witnesses said Pino did not appear impaired, and that he had his own wife and daughter on the boat.
The defense also presented testimony about a possible traumatic brain injury after the crash and argued that Pino’s memory may have been affected.
What Jurors Heard
Over the course of trial, jurors heard from passengers who were on the boat, first responders, investigators, boating and navigation witnesses, medical testimony, family members, and eyewitnesses who helped in the rescue.
They also saw bodycam footage, GPS evidence, photos of the damaged boat, underwater footage, and testimony about the channel marker and the crash scene.
The Verdict
After closing arguments, the jury found George Pino not guilty.
The verdict means the criminal case ended without a conviction on the charges tied to Lucy Fernandez’s death.
The case drew attention because of the loss of Lucy Fernandez, the permanent injuries to Katerina Puig, the questions around Pino’s operation of the boat, and the central issue jurors had to decide: whether the crash was criminal conduct or a tragic accident.