Jurors Inspect Damaged Boat and See Underwater Footage From Crash Site

Day 4 of George Pino’s trial brought jurors face to face with the physical evidence in the case. The jury viewed the damaged boat involved in the fatal 2022 crash near Boca Chita Key, then returned to court to hear testimony about the vessel, the channel marker, underwater documentation, GPS devices, and a law enforcement reenactment.

Jurors View the Damaged Boat

The day began with jurors being taken to see the boat involved in the crash.

They spent about 30 to 40 minutes inspecting the damaged vessel at a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission location.

That viewing gave jurors a chance to see the boat outside of photographs and video. George Pino had previously waived his right to be present for the boat viewing.

FWC Lieutenant Testifies About the Crash Site

After the jury returned and court resumed Thursday afternoon, the state called Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Lt. Manuel Pomares.

Pomares testified that he was one of the officers who responded after the fatal crash as part of both the investigative team and the dive team that documented the site.

Jurors were shown photos of the damaged boat, including views of exposed fiberglass on the bottom of the vessel. Pomares explained what the photos showed and walked the jury through different angles of the damage.

Underwater GoPro Video Shows the Overturned Boat

The state also presented underwater GoPro video taken the day after the crash.

The video showed the vessel upside down in the water. Pomares testified that he circled the boat to capture a 360-degree view, including the bow, the front of the vessel, the side of the center console, the T-top, and the steering area.

That footage gave jurors a closer look at how the boat appeared in the water after the crash and before it was recovered.

State Shows Pieces of the Boat and Day Marker

Prosecutors then presented physical evidence tied to the crash.

Pomares showed jurors a portion of day marker 15, made of plywood. The marker was used to tell boaters they were on the east side of the channel.

The state also showed a larger piece of the boat with the name “Robalo” visible. Robalo was the brand of Pino’s vessel.

Pomares later testified that the damage to Pino’s boat was consistent with having struck a channel marker. He also pointed to a green mark on the boat, which he said was where it made contact with the dayboard.

GPS Devices Recovered From the Boat

The state also asked Pomares about two Simrad GPS devices recovered from the boat.

Pomares testified that the devices were documented and brought to shore. GPS evidence has been a major part of the prosecution’s case from opening statements, when prosecutors described the boat’s GPS as a “silent witness” that tracked Pino’s movement, speed, and direction.

During this testimony, Pino appeared focused. He was seen taking notes and nodding at times while Pomares discussed photos of the vessel’s console. When Pomares described the wiring behind the panel as “very organized,” Pino appeared to nod in agreement.

Defense Questions Condition of Channel Marker

On cross-examination, the defense focused on the condition of the channel marker on the day of the crash.

That questioning goes to one of the key physical-evidence issues in the case: what the marker looked like, how visible it was, and how jurors should interpret the damage to the boat and marker together.

Crime Scene Detective Explains Reenactment

Later in the afternoon, a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office crime scene detective took the stand.

The detective has been with the department for 20 years and oversees reenactments. He explained the purpose of channel markers and told jurors that speeding on a boat is different from speeding in an automobile.

He also described a reenactment conducted on the water. The detective said safety measures were taken, including perimeter boundaries, and that Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office vessels equipped with emergency lights were used to mirror conditions on the day of the crash.

He also said this was the first time they conducted a water launch with drones.

State Presents Drone Video of Reenactment

The state submitted drone video showing Florida Fish and Wildlife and Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office boats on the water for the reenactment.

The defense cross-examined the detective about the drone footage before court ended for the day.

Where Day 4 Leaves the Case

Day 4 was largely about physical and visual evidence.

Jurors viewed the damaged boat in person, saw underwater video of the overturned vessel, reviewed photos of the damage, saw pieces of the boat and channel marker, and watched drone footage from a law enforcement reenactment.

The state used the day to connect the boat’s damage to the channel marker and to build the foundation for GPS and reenactment evidence. The defense focused on the condition of the marker and challenged the reenactment evidence through cross-examination.

Court was dismissed for the day. The jury returns Friday at 10:30 a.m.