Mexican actor Pablo Lyle, 35, was found guilty Tuesday of involuntary manslaughter for the death of a man identified as Juan Ricardo Hernandez, 63. The events occurred on March 31, 2019 in the city of Miami. Following an argument over a traffic incident, Lyle exited his vehicle and punched Hernandez, who immediately collapsed according to recorded security footage. The victim died four days later in a city hospital. The altercation lasted only 28 seconds.
The six-person jury announced its verdict on its first day of deliberations following closing arguments. Prosecutor Gabriela Alfaro repeated the phrase: "Please, don't hurt me", allegedly the victim's last words before falling to the ground as a result of the blow. "That blow delivered by Mr. Lyle to the deceased caused the victim to fall backward to hit his head and open his skull, injuries that caused his death," said prosecutor Gabriela Alfaro.
Lyle told Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez, who is in charge of the case in Miami-Dade Criminal Court, that on his own initiative and on the advice of his attorneys would not testify at the hearing. Lyle's attorneys had unsuccessfully moved to dismiss the case under Florida's self-defense law. Lyle was under house arrest while awaiting sentencing, plus he posted $50,000 bail.
