Overview
- A Miami‑Dade judge denied the defense’s requests to move the trial out of the county and to dismiss manslaughter charges after hours of argument on Thursday.
- Prosecutors say GPS data show the boat reached about 47 mph and that a roughly nine‑second lapse of attention led the vessel toward a fixed steel marker, and they showed body‑camera video they say places Pino at the wheel.
- The defense calls the crash a tragic accident, argues Pino was not impaired, and seeks to exclude his post‑crash remarks on the ground that he was not read Miranda warnings in a custodial setting.
- A Florida Fish and Wildlife officer testified he observed no signs of impairment, but the judge left key evidentiary fights over video, GPS and post‑crash statements unresolved and subject to further rulings.
- Pretrial scheduling now moves toward early June with another round of motions on Monday, jury selection set for the first week of June, and opening statements expected the week starting June 8; Pino faces up to 15 years if convicted.