Judge Denies Acquittal Motion and Defense Begins Calling Witnesses

Day 7 of George Pino’s vessel homicide and manslaughter trial marked a major shift in the case. After the state rested on Day 6, the defense asked the judge to acquit Pino. On Tuesday, the judge denied that motion, allowing the trial to continue. The defense then began presenting its case, calling witnesses who testified about navigation conditions, the boat ride before the crash, Pino’s condition, and the chaotic rescue effort afterward.

Judge Denies Motion to Acquit

The day began with the judge denying the defense’s motion to acquit George Pino.

That ruling means the judge found the case could continue to the defense phase. After the ruling, Pino’s attorneys began calling their own witnesses.

Lt. Paul Alber Is Recalled

The defense’s first witness was Lt. Paul Alber, who had testified the day before.

Alber was questioned about tides, sun position, and navigation conditions at the time of the crash. He testified that weather and environmental factors did not block visibility of the channel markers.

The defense also focused on whether channel marker 13A could have blocked another marker, marker 15, from view. Alber said any blockage would have been brief and insignificant.

He also testified that the boat was moving fast, between about 43 and 50 miles per hour, which left only seconds to react before impact.

The defense asked Alber whether there was a posted speed limit in Cutter Bank in 2022, when the crash happened. Alber said there was no posted speed limit.

Claudia Portocarrero Describes the Boat Ride as Normal

The defense next called Claudia Portocarrero.

Portocarrero has known the Pino family for most of her life and was on the boat for Cecilia Pino’s birthday celebration. She described the return boat ride as normal, with music and dancing.

She testified that she did not perceive any issue with the speed or operation of the boat. She also said George Pino did not seem intoxicated or impaired.

After the crash, Portocarrero described the scene as chaotic. She remembered seeing blood and said she briefly believed Pino had died. She testified that she swam to safety and attempted to help others.

Natalia Reed Says Pino Did Not Appear Impaired

The defense’s third witness was Natalia Reed.

Reed has known the Pinos since elementary school, where she also attended school with Lucy Fernandez. She was on the boat the day of the crash.

Reed described the boat ride as normal and said conditions were calm. She testified that she had no concern about the speed or operation of the boat.

She said she and others had been drinking alcohol, but did not feel heavily impaired. Reed also said she did not see Pino drink or appear intoxicated or impaired.

She described the crash as a sudden impact and remembered seeing that people had been thrown into the water. Reed also saw Pino with blood on his head and briefly thought he might be dead. She was later rescued and transported by a good Samaritan’s boat.

Hamlet Rodriguez Testifies About Finding Lucy

The defense also called Hamlet Rodriguez, an eyewitness who was boating in the Florida Keys over Labor Day weekend in 2022.

Rodriguez testified that he came across the boating accident and saw a vessel overturned in the water. He said people began shouting to kill the engines because someone was missing.

One person on his boat yelled for the man hanging onto the capsized boat, identified as George Pino, to look for the missing person underneath it. Rodriguez testified that when Pino did, he quickly came back with a girl in his arms.

Rodriguez jumped into the water, helped keep the girl, identified as Lucy Fernandez, afloat, and brought her to another boat where he handed her off.

He said he was exhausted and disoriented after the rescue and left before police arrived.

David Rodriguez Describes the Rescue Scene

David Rodriguez also testified for the defense.

He said he had been boating over the weekend and was averaging speeds of 50 to 55 miles per hour. He also admitted he had previously reached 80 miles per hour while boating in clear conditions.

Rodriguez testified that he was boating in the area when he saw a capsized boat from a distance. He sped over and described the scene as chaotic, with mostly teenage girls swimming in the water.

When he heard someone was missing, he began circling around because he feared the current may have taken the person.

After Lucy was found, Rodriguez helped get George Pino out of the water and brought him onto his own boat. Jurors saw a six-second cellphone video showing Pino standing on Rodriguez’s boat as a helicopter hovered over the scene.

Cecilia Pino Returns to the Stand

After lunch, the defense called Cecilia Pino back to the stand.

Cecilia had previously testified during the state’s case. On Tuesday, she testified for the defense.

She said she had one to two glasses of champagne and did not feel impaired. She also said she did not see her husband drinking.

When asked whether she would have let George Pino drive if he appeared impaired, Cecilia said she would not, because she would never put herself or the girls at risk.

Court ended for the day while Cecilia’s testimony was still underway.

Where Day 7 Leaves the Case

Day 7 moved the trial fully into the defense case.

The defense used the day to emphasize that there was no posted speed limit, that passengers described the ride as normal, that witnesses did not see Pino appear impaired, and that Pino was injured and involved in the rescue effort after the crash.

The testimony also kept the physical facts in focus: channel markers, visibility, the boat’s speed, and the short amount of time before impact.

Jurors were told to return Wednesday at 10 a.m. There is no court Friday due to Juneteenth, and the judge said closing arguments may move to Monday.