MIAMI (Court TV) — A Florida man was sentenced to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of murdering a bicyclist out riding with a group and threatening a second man.
Defendant Kadel Piedrahita says he called police after shooting Alexis Palencia. Authorities asked why he fired his gun and he told them that we has attacked by three people and that the person had a weapon. (Court TV)
Kadel Piedrahita was convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Alexis Palencia and aggravated assault with a firearm for threatening Cesar Sosa during an incident on Aug. 14, 2019.
Court documents and testimony at trial revealed Piedrahita shot Palencia once in the stomach on the Rickenbacker Causeway before turning to Cesar Sosa, pointing the gun at him and yelling profanities. Sosa ran away from the scene and was not injured. Witnesses, who told police they knew Piedrahita through their cycling group, identified him as the killer.
Piedrahita was well-known to the cycling group, known as the “Don Pan Riders” because he often would ride beside them on his motorcycle to help protect them, the Key Biscayne Independent reported.
The confrontation was recorded, as Piedrahita had been live-streaming the ride before the deadly shooting.
Piedrahita claimed he was acting in self-defense when he shot and killed Palencia.
DAILY TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 7 – 9/16/24
- Kadel Piedrahita was convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Alexis Palencia and aggravated assault with a firearm for allegedly threatening Cesar Sosa.
- The jury hears closing arguments
DAY 6 – 9/13/24
- Jurors heard Kadel Piedrahita’s cross-examination on Friday.
- The defense told the judge they wanted lesser charges to be included.
- A six-person jury will consider Piedrahita’s case.
DAY 5 – 9/12/24
- Defendant Kadel Piedrahita admitted to shooting Palencia but said he didn’t intend or plan the killing. Piedrahita testified he was afraid for his life and the life of his son.
DAY 4 – 9/11/24
- The jury heard testimony from an eyewitness and two investigators.
DAY 3 – 9/10/24
- Cesar Sosa continued his testimony.
- Sosa is the subject of Count 2, aggravated assault. Piedrahita allegedly pointed his gun at Sosa and threatened him after he allegedly shot Alex Palencia.
- The defense went through the video, almost frame by frame, to highlight where the players were when Alexis Palencia was shot.
DAY 2 – 9/9/24
- Two eyewitnesses took the stand, and the jury saw videos of the incident.
DAY 1 – 9/5/24
- The prosecution and defense delivered opening statements.
- Two officers who responded to the scene testified
