Man charged in 2019 killing of cyclist on Rickenbacker Causeway takes the stand – NBC 6 South Florida

A motorcyclist accused of shooting a cyclist on the Rickenbacker Causeway in 2019 testified at his murder trial Thursday.

Kadel Piedrahita faces second-degree murder charges for killing 48-year-old Alex Palencia and aggravated assault charges for allegedly attacking another bicyclist during the Aug. 14, 2019, incident.

Piedrahita was out on his motorcycle that morning to follow the group of cyclists and stream the whole thing live on Facebook. For Piedrahita, this was normal because his son was part of the group of cyclists.

But the ride took a deadly turn when, according to defense attorneys, Palencia kicked Piedrahita's motorcycle and a fight broke out.

Defense attorneys said two other cyclists joined the fight on Palencia's side and he defended himself by firing a shot from his gun.

However, the public prosecutor's office stated that the two had been involved in an argument the day before and that Piedrahita's act was murder.

Piedrahita testified through a translator on Thursday that he was grabbed by a cyclist and hit by Palencia and another cyclist.

“When I realized that three people were jumping on me, I practically fell next to my son, who had the backpack in his hand. I said: give it to me, get it out,” said Piedrahita, referring to his gun, which was in the backpack.

He said his son told him, “No, no, Dad, it's not worth it,” but Palencia attacked him.

“I took the gun in my hand, at that moment he hit my son and [told him] 'Don't get involved,'” Piedrahita said.

He said Palencia had something in his hand and heard another voice yell “shoot, shoot!”, so he aimed his gun and fired a shot.

Piedrahita was due to be cross-examined by prosecutors on Friday.