Opinion ID: 77401
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Coconut Grove

Text: 28 On June 26, 1997, Appellants Aguero, Beguiristain, Castello, and Garcia, along with non-party Officers Jacobo, Acuna, and Mervolion, were conducting a drug sting near the Cocowalk mall. 29 (1) Officer Castello Shoots Unarmed Man 30 While patrolling near the Cocowalk mall, Appellant Castello and non-party Officer Jacobo drove up to a nearby convenience store in their patrol car. When they arrived, the officers observed two homeless men, Rick Simms (Simms) and Daniel Hoban (Hoban), drinking beer outside the store. Simms and Hoban got into a minor scuffle. Appellant Castello and Jacobo got out of their car, yelling to Simms and Hoban to drop it. Appellant Castello fired three shots, hitting Hoban in the leg. 31 According to the testimony of the Fire Chief, a paramedic, a passerby and a police officer, all of whom arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting, Hoban was unarmed and there was no weapon on the ground. Hoban's walkman radio was lying near him, which may have been in his hand, leading Appellant Castello to believe Hoban was armed. 32 (2) Officers Plant Gun 33 Appellant Ronda, who was working a drug bust nearby, ran to the scene and arrived minutes after the shooting. Appellant Aguero and Officer Acuna arrived about fifteen minutes after the shooting, along with many other officers and emergency response professionals. 34 Before arriving, Officer Acuna radioed Appellant Beguiristain to ask if he needed anything from the locker. At trial, Officer Mervolion testified that he saw Appellant Aguero plant a handgun under a car at the scene of the shooting. Appellant Ronda then discovered this gun, fifteen minutes after the shooting and despite the fact that none of the others present at the scene had seen a gun until then. Later examination revealed Appellant Aguero's fingerprint on the side of the gun, even though the gun was supposedly not discovered or touched by Appellant Aguero. 8 35 (3) Officers Make False Statements 36 The Miami Police Department immediately initiated an investigation of the Coconut Grove incident. As part of the investigation, Appellant Ronda gave sworn statements to state law enforcement officers on July 15, 1997, and July 25, 1997. In both sworn statements, Appellant Ronda averred that within minutes of the shooting of Hoban, he ran to the scene and saw a blue steel gun on the ground near Hoban. 37 Appellant Beguiristain gave sworn statements to investigators on July 15, 1997, and July 16, 1997. In both sworn statements, Appellant Beguiristain testified that he found a blue steel gun underneath a car near Hoban while Hoban was being treated by paramedics for the gunshot wound. 38 Appellant Castello gave a sworn statement to investigators on September 30, 1997. In his sworn statement, Appellant Castello testified that he saw a blue steel gun in Hoban's hand when he shot Hoban, and that he saw a blue steel gun on the ground immediately after shooting Hoban.