MIAMI – The opening statements in the Miami-Dade County trial of a man accused of fatally shooting a 48-year-old father of three about five years ago were on Thursday.
The prosecution accused Kadel Piedrahita of the “calculated, rage-filled, unjustified killing” of Alex Palencia on Aug. 14, 2019, along The Rickenbacker Causeway.
Palencia had sold Piedrahita home insurance, and when it lapsed Piedrahita blamed him. The conflict spilled publicly on Facebook Live and along a road full of witnesses, police said.
“This case was captured on several different cameras,” Assistant State Attorney Conor Soper told jurors in court. “It was captured on cell phone cameras from witnesses. It was captured on GoPro cameras from the bicyclists… and part of it was even captured on the defendant’s own video.”
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The defense claimed it was self-defense. Piedrahita was riding a motorcycle with the group of cyclists, known as the “Don Pan Riders.” Palencia and Piedrahita’s son were among the cyclists.
“He has one hand on the bike and one hand on the selfie stick recording on Facebook Live,” Assistant Public Defender Yanelis Zamora told jurors in court about Piedrahita.
Zamora said Palencia “put his hands” on Piedrahita causing him to lose his balance. Soper said Piedrahita kicked Palencia from his motorcycle. The two got into a scuffle.
“Two other cyclists, actually, jumped into the fight as well. At one point, it’s actually three against one. Mr. Piedrahita is hit in the head with something hard. He is getting punched in the face with fists multiple times,” Zamora said.
Soper said Piedrahita commanded his son to get him his gun.
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“He takes out his gun to show force not to use force,” Zamora said adding Cesar Sosa, a cyclist, then handed Palencia a gun.
Witnesses said Pedrahita shot Palencia in the abdomen and threatened to shoot Sosa.
“He did the only thing that he was able to do to defend himself,” Zamora said.
Miami Detective Ariadna Rodriguez, who was the first witness, disagreed. Testimony resumes on Monday. Piedrahita is on trial for second-degree murder and aggravated assault with a firearm.
Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
Witness video captures immediate aftermath of police shooting in Downtown Miami
MIAMI — Video captured by a witness shows what happened after a police shooting that occurred on Saturday in Miami.
It happened outside the Yve Hotel along Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast Second Street.
The video obtained by Local 10 News shows the immediate response to the man being shot.
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Miami’s police chief said the man was causing a commotion outside the hotel, and tasing him didn’t stop him.
After things got physical, one of the officers opened fire on the man.
Authorities said he is recovering and expected to be okay.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting, as is customary when an officer opens fire.
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Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
David Dwork
David Dwork joined the WPLG Local 10 News team in August 2019. Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, David has covered South Florida sports since 2007.
Jannik Sinner, who is currently the world’s No. 2-ranked player, according to the ATP, faces off against Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka (who is ranked No. 22 in the world) in the final of the 2026 Miami Open on March 29.
This is surely the biggest match of Lehecka’s career to this point. He had won several ATP tournaments (including the 2024 Adelaide International and the 2025 Brisbane International), but neither of those came against an opponent of Sinner’s caliber. Therefore, this win would mean more for Lehecka than any of his past tournament victories.
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Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic | Mike Frey-Imagn Images
As for Sinner, this is just another Sunday on the court. He already won the Indian Wells Open earlier this month, and a win against Lehecka would be his 26th ATP Title. Still, that doesn’t mean Sinner isn’t hungry for another win to add to his staggering resumé and perhaps overtake Carlos Alcaraz for the world’s No. 1 spot.
While Lehecka will have his girlfriend, Lucka Neumannova (aka Lucie), in the stands showing him support on Sunday, Sinner’s girlfriend, Laila Hasanovic, appears to be back in her home country of Denmark.
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Laila Hasanovic | IMAGO / ABACAPRESS
Sinner and Hasanovic have been together at least since the summer of 2025. Before that, Hasanovic (who is a model and fashion influencer) dated Formula 1 driver Mick Schumacher for at least three years, but the couple split up in the spring of 2025.
She is clearly busy with her own career in Copenhagen right now and isn’t able to attend Sinner’s matches while he’s playing in America. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t finding the time to show him support, albeit not in person.
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Laila Hasanovic at the F1 Mexico City Grand Prix when she was dating Mick Schumacher. | IMAGO / Laci Perenyi
Laila Hasanovic Catches Eyes with Outfit Before Jannik Sinner’s Miami Open Final Match
Hasanovic has been active on social media throughout Sinner’s Miami Open run. This was the case once again before his match against Lehecka, as she made a March 28 Instagram post that was captioned, “🫀”.
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The post shows various scenes from Hasanovic’s recent events in Denmark. The fourth photo shows her in an eye-catching skirt and a black shirt. Among the other notable photos show her in two different types of black jackets, and the first photo features a nice checkered coat.
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One would imagine that Hasanovic will be locked in when Sinner takes the court on Sunday, hoping to secure his secong tournament victory of 2026 and perhaps reclaim the world’s No. 1 ranking.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A three-vehicle crash in southwest Miami-Dade triggered a large emergency response Saturday night, leaving 10 people injured, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
MDFR units responded around 8:03 p.m. to the area of Southwest 28th Street and Southwest 107th Avenue after receiving reports of a massive crash.
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Officials said 13 units arrived on scene and found a total of 10 adult patients.
Three people were taken to a local hospital with injuries. One of the passengers, a woman, was pronounced dead at the hospital.
No additional details have been released.
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Pablo Hernandez
Pablo Hernandez is a Digital Journalist at WPLG. He was born in Cuba and has lived in Miami, Florida since 2002.
