A Florida real estate mogul charged in a deadly 2022 boat crash has been cleared by a jury.
George Pino was found not guilty of manslaughter and vessel homicide on Monday.
The verdict came after an eight-day trial in Miami-Dade court. Pino faced charges over a September 4, 2022, incident in Biscayne Bay.
On that day, Pino and his wife hosted a birthday party for their daughter and friends aboard their 29-foot boat.
Near Boca Chita Key, the vessel struck a floating marker, throwing all 14 passengers into the water.
Lucy Fernandez, 17, died from her injuries. Another passenger, Katy Puig, now 21, suffered permanent brain damage.
Pino's attorney, Howard Srebnick, praised the six-person jury for carefully weighing the evidence. He said Pino always maintained the crash was an accident, not a crime.
Eyewitnesses testified Pino was not under the influence or reckless while operating the boat.
Prosecutors Laura Adams and Jonathon Borst disagreed with the verdict but accepted the decision and thanked the jurors.
