Developer George Pino Pleads Not Guilty to New Manslaughter Charge in Deadly Boat Crash

New Manslaughter Charge

• 🎯 Developer George Pino has pleaded not guilty to a new charge of manslaughter.
• ⚖️ This charge stems from a deadly boating crash in 2022 that resulted in the death of a teenage girl.
• 📍 The hearing took place remotely in a Miami-Dade court.

Legal Proceedings and Custody Status

• 📄 The state filed an amended information adding the manslaughter charge after taking a deposition.
• 🤝 Pino's plea of not guilty was entered, and his custody status remains unchanged; he continues to be released on his own recognizance.
• ⚖️ The new charge is in addition to the existing felony charge of vessel homicide.

Details of the 2022 Boating Crash

• 🗓️ The incident occurred on Labor Day weekend nearly three years prior to the hearing.
• 💥 Pino was operating a boat that collided with a channel marker near Boca Chita.
• 💔 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez was killed in the crash, and her friend Katy Buig sustained permanent injuries.
• 👧 Pino's daughter and 11 other teenage girls were on board the boat at the time.

Evidence and Defense Arguments

• 🍾 Investigators reportedly found 61 empty alcohol containers, an empty champagne bottle, and a half bottle of liquor on the boat.
• 🗣️ Pino's attorney argued that the new manslaughter charge is redundant and accused the state of trying the case in the media.
• 🏛️ The defense stated the case will be tried in the courtroom, not in the media.

Sentencing and Trial Schedule

• ⚖️ Both the vessel homicide and manslaughter charges carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
• 🗓️ Both sides are progressing towards trial, with the next hearing set for September 26th and the trial scheduled to begin on June 1st, 2026.