FL against Kadel Piedrahita: Murder trial against cyclist for aggression in traffic

MIAMI (Court TV) – A jury in Florida found a man guilty as charged in the murder of a cyclist riding with a group and in the threat of a second man.

Kadel Piedrahita was found guilty of joint murder of Alexis Palencia and aggravated assault with a firearm for threatening Cesar Sosa during an incident on August 14, 2019.

Court documents and witness testimony showed that Piedrahita shot Palencia once in the stomach on the Rickenbacker Causeway before approaching Cesar Sosa, pointing the gun at him and yelling profanities. Sosa ran from the scene and was unharmed. 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 rode alongside them on his motorcycle to protect them, the Key Biscayne Independent reported.

The confrontation was recorded because Piedrahita had live-streamed the ride before the fatal shooting.

Piedrahita claimed he acted in self-defense when he shot Palencia.

DAILY TEST UPDATES

DAY 7 – 16.9.24

• Kadel Piedrahita was found guilty of second-degree murder for allegedly threatening Cesar Sosa and the premeditated murder of Alexis Palencia by shooting, as well as aggravated assault with a firearm.
• The jury hears closing arguments

DAY 6 – 13.9.24

• The jury heard cross-examination of Kadel Piedrahita on Friday.
• The defense informed the judge that they wanted lesser charges to be included.
• A six-member jury will consider Piedrahita's case.

DAY 5 – 12.9.24

• Defendant Kadel Piedrahita admitted to shooting Palencia, but said he neither intended nor planned the murder. Piedrahita testified that he feared for his life and that of his son.

DAY 4 – 11.9.24

• The jury heard the testimony of an eyewitness and two investigators.

DAY 3 – 9/10/24

• Cesar Sosa continued his testimony.
  • Sosa is the subject of the second charge, 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 testified and the jury saw videos of the incident.

DAY 1 – 9/5/24

• The prosecution and defense made their opening statements.
• Two officers who arrived at the scene testified