Opening statements begin in Miami-Dade trial of man who killed Rickenbacker cyclist

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.”

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.

“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.