After prosecutor lays out boat crash case, George Pino breakdown causes trial to pause

Just over an hour into opening statements, the vessel homicide and manslaughter trial of George Pino paused as he broke down in tears. The Doral broker, 54, sobbed at the defendant's table after his attorney raised health concerns, prompting Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez to dismiss the jury for the day. Prosecutors had begun detailing evidence they say shows Pino acted recklessly when his 29-foot Robalo center console slammed into a Biscayne Bay channel marker, sending 13 passengers into the water.

Luciana 'Lucy' Fernandez was killed and Katerina Puig left with disabilities. The Sept. 4, 2022 crash occurred as the boat approached Ocean Reef Club near Elliott Key, carrying 13 passengers.