Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a prominent South Florida developer charged in a fatal 2022 boat crash, as the judge again denied his motion to dismiss the case.
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George Pino is facing second-degree manslaughter and vessel homicide charges in the crash that claimed the life of 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez and left another teen, Katy Puig, permanently disabled.
Attorneys for Pino had tried to have the case dropped, but the judge denied their motions to dismiss last week and again on Monday morning.
Pino, 55, has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence, calling the crash an accident.
A possible deal with prosecutors was discussed earlier Monday but the only plea Pino was willing to accept was to change his plea to “no contest” and appeal the motion to dismiss.
His defense attorneys have argued there isn’t enough evidence for the alleged crimes.
Authorities said Pino was at the helm of the 29-foot vessel with 14 people on board when he crashed into a channel marker near Boca Chita Key on Sept. 4, 2022.
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An initial incident report showed investigators found more than 61 empty alcoholic bottles and cans on the boat. However, a final Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission incident report released nearly a year after the crash indicated Pino showed no signs of impairment when officers responded.
Body camera footage showed Pino speaking with FWC officers following the crash, with Pino admitting to having two beers, but declining to give a blood sample. Authorities did not give Pino a sobriety test at the time of the crash.
Pino’s attorneys had been seeking to prevent a jury from hearing the statements he made about having the two beers, but the judge denied that request.
Pino also told authorities that another boat caused the crash, which prosecutors claimed was Pino looking for excuses but that statement will also be allowed at trial.
Jury selection was expected to take about a week with opening statements set to begin next week, court records showed.
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Pino could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.