Emotional Florida Developer Breaks Down in Court: Hugging Loved Ones Sparks Judge’s Fury Amid Heartbreaking Trial Details

The businessman has been an emotional mess inside the courtroom since his trial got underway earlier this week, including new testimony and the photos were introduced as evidence on Thursday, June 11. During one pause in the proceedings, as the prosecutors and defense attorneys spoke to the judge in sidebar conferences, Pino was approached by acquaintances seated in the gallery and given hugs.

While that may seem like a nice gesture, prosecutors worried the sight could unfairly influence the jury.

Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez agreed, expressing her displeasure that people were “actually having physical contact and hugging Mr. Pino.”

She slammed the affection as “absolutely unacceptable,” while admonishing, “This is a court of law. We’re not at a
sporting event, not at a social event.”

“Even though he has heard me ask multiple times last week and this week not to engage in public displays of affection, especially when a jury is around, he continues to do it. He allows it to happen,” Adams said, while recommending Pino be talked to personally.

“I understand the court admonishing the people that are in the room, but the main person who should be admonished is the man who’s allowing it to happen, which is the defendant.”

Mendez turned her attention to Pino and warned him not to engage in physical contact with anyone and to restrict himself to writing notes to his attorneys.

During defense attorney Howard Srebnick’s opening statement, Pino’s visible breakdown eventually became so overpowering that Prosecutor Laura Adams called for a delay, saying his behavior was “inappropriate” for jurors to witness.

“Mr. Pino’s going to need to be able to control himself,” Miami-Dade Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez said, adding, “it’s not proper at all for the jury to be witnessing the emotional behaviors.”