MIAMI (WSVN) - Jurors watched body camera footage of real estate developer George Pino speaking with a first responder in the aftermath of a deadly 2022 boat crash that killed a 17-year-old girl, as the real estate developer’s trial moved into its fifth day.
Hours earlier, 7News cameras captured Pino walking inside the Miami courtroom along with his attorneys and family members.
The footage shown inside the courtroom shows Pino speaking to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Lt. William Thompson after the Labor Day weekend wreck.
“So I have to do a boating accident report and there are injuries,” Thompson is heard saying on video.
At some point in the video, Pino begins talking to investigators to give his perspective on the crash.
“And I said, ‘Hey guys, watch out. Hold on, because I’m cutting into the wave, you guys are on the back, being tossed around. ‘They were right on the back and as soon as I said it, I was cutting through the wave and I looked at the wheel, I guess when we were on the waves, the wheel turned a little bit as I was coming back in, and I lost a little control back there. I turned, OK? And it was the – I’m pretty sure it was the left side,” said Pino to Thompson on the bodycam footage.
Later, he is seen giving a statement to Thompson on video.
“I don’t recall if she was under or if she was right next to me. It was so crazy,” said Pino to Thompson on video.
“Can you just write which individual that was?” said Thompson on video.
“I’m pretty sure that was Lucy [Fernandez],” said Pino on video.
“Write that out. I found Lucy and supported Lucy or whatever. I held Lucy,” instructed Thompson on the video.
“Yeah, it was like– she may have come out of that boat right when I was going to go under and when I went under, she was like right next to the boat,” said Pino on the video.
Thompson then took the stand to be cross examined by both the prosecution and defense team. He also read directly from Pino’s sworn statement, describing his alleged efforts to help Fernandez.
“I swam to Lucy and stayed until boat came. Then I stayed looking for others inside the boat,” said Thompson as he read.
Prosecutors also showed jurors evidence that was recovered from the crash, including empty alcohol containers.
“And states Exhibit No. 108. Is that the top of what you saw when you opened the trash pouch?” said prosecutor Laura Adams.
“Yes, ma’am,” said Thompson.
Pino’s defense team maintains their client was not impaired at the time of the crash.
Later in the day, prosecutors showcased the re-enactment video of the crash which they said is captured from Fernandez’s point of view.
After watching the video, Adams questioned Thompson about it.
“Where the squiggly line is — Does that represent the route that you were taking?” said Adams.
“Yes, ma’am,” said Thompson.
With Thompson still on the stand, the defense read more of the conversation between Pino and Thompson on that fateful day.
“I approached the waves at first, like I always do when the boat hits. I was looking at the girls and just to make sure they were okay and the next thing I know, it hit, the waves and I tried to swing and the right side of the boat would be the left side of the boat hit the pylon,” said Pino’s attorney.
At the end of the court proceedings on Friday, after jurors had been released, there was a tense exchange between Pino and the prosecutor after the prosecutor accused the defendant of mumbling something under his breath.
“I’m sorry. Do you have something you want to say to me? Why are you staring at me?” said Adams.
“I’m not. I’m staring up there. I don’t want to say anything to you,” said Pino.
The back-and-forth prompted a stern warning from Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez.
“Excuse me. Ladies and gentlemen, we’re not going to do this, OK?” said Tinkler Mendez.
Trial is expected to resume on Monday morning.
Copyright 2026 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.