George Pino, a prominent Florida real estate broker, was found not guilty by a Miami jury on Monday evening of manslaughter and felony vessel homicide in a 2022 boat crash that killed a 17-year-old girl and left another teenager permanently disabled. The verdict has drawn dismay from the victims' families.
Crash Details and Aftermath
The crash occurred on 4 September 2022 during a birthday party celebration hosted by Pino and his wife Cecilia for their daughter's 18th birthday. The 29-foot vessel collided with a steel channel marker in Biscayne Bay, throwing all 14 passengers into the water. Luciana Fernandez, 17, was killed, and Katerina Puig, now 21, suffered severe head injuries that left her permanently disabled.
Investigators recovered 61 empty bottles and cans of alcohol from the boat after it was retrieved. However, Pino was never subjected to a breath test, and he denied being impaired or speeding.
Family Reaction to Verdict
Puig's family released a statement criticizing the investigation and expressing profound disagreement with the verdict. "While we respect our system of justice and the role of the jury, we profoundly disagree with the verdict," said her parents, Kathya and Rodolpho Puig. "Based on the evidence presented, we believe George Pino should have been held accountable for the reckless operation of his vessel."
They added, "For nearly four years, our family has lived with the consequences of that tragic day. We see Katy's injuries every day. No verdict can change those realities."
Defense and Trial Testimony
Pino broke down in tears after the acquittal by a jury of five men and one woman following a two-week trial. His lawyer, Howard Srebnick, stated, "From the beginning, we have maintained that the events of September 4 2022 were a tragic accident, not a crime. The testimony presented at trial, including unrebutted accounts from eyewitnesses who saw no signs of impairment, confirmed that Mr Pino was not under the influence, was not operating the vessel recklessly, and that he did everything he could to protect his passengers after the accident."
Several friends of the victims testified that they had been drinking while underage and felt "buzzed." Pino, 55, told investigators he had only two beers and was sober.
Charges and Policy Changes
Pino was initially charged with three misdemeanor counts of careless boating, but these were upgraded to felony charges after new evidence emerged, carrying a potential 15-year prison sentence. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which investigated the crash, changed several policies after criticism, including the failure to test Pino for sobriety and the deletion of officer-worn bodycam footage.
Civil suits resulted in a $16 million settlement with Cecilia Pino for the Puig family's medical costs and a separate, undisclosed settlement with George Pino.
Prosecutor's Statement
Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle expressed sympathy for all affected: "Sadly, I know that this verdict brings no comfort to the Fernandez and Puig families who forever must live with the tragedy of what happened. In a case like this, there are no winners or losers."
