The presentation of evidence begins in the trial against actor Pablo Lyle accused of involuntary manslaughter

The lawyers of Pablo Lyle, accused of involuntary manslaughter in Miami, Florida, focused their defense at the start of the trial this week, casting doubt on the jury and unsuccessfully trying to annul the actor's statement to the police on the day of his arrest.

Lyle was accused of hitting a 63-year-old man in the face on March 31, 2019, Juan Ricardo Hernández, who died four later in the hospital from a brain injury he suffered when he fell.

The actor was on his way to the airport with his family that day when his car, driven by his brother-in-law, Lucas Delfino, cut off another vehicle on a highway exit.

Hernandez got out of the other car to spoil the maneuver, and argued with Delfino.

Lyle got out of the back seat and punched Hernandez, security camera footage shows.

The family then continued to the airport to travel to Mexico, but Lyle was detained before boarding the plane for the deadly assault.

One of the first strategies of his defense was to request the suppression of the actor's statements at the Miami airport, arguing that the city's Police Department does not have jurisdiction there, according to the local affiliate of the ABC network.

Pablo Lyle during the trial in Miami.Telemundo

The motion was denied by the judge, Marisa Tinkler Mendez, who argued that the police had probable cause for the arrest.

During the presentation of the evidence, it was also learned that Marcela Arce, the victim's ex-girlfriend, refused to testify at the trial.

The jury is made up of four black people, four white people and two Latinos.

Lyle's defense alleged that he was aware of derogatory allusions to the actor because of his Mexican nationality.

The presentation of evidence begins in the trial against Pablo Lyle

Sept.

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“Ethnicity always comes up.

Members of the defense have heard it throughout the community over the years: that Mexican, and they say it in a nasty way, punched that Cuban.

This really worries me,” Miami defense attorney Philip Reizenstein told the judge during juror interviews, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The judge assured that the measures will be taken so that the process is carried out with all the guarantees despite the media interest.

 “I have every intention of not allowing this to turn into a circus.

From what I understand and what I actually saw personally at various times, special security measures will have to be taken," he said before the start of the trial.

If found guilty, the actor would face up to 15 years in prison.

He so far he has remained on probation.