Illegal immigrant goes on trial in officer's death

Monday, January 29, 2007

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The fatal accident occurred at Gibsonton Road and the I-75 exit ramp. (Slideshow)

Jury selection began Monday in the trial of an illegal immigrant accused of being responsible for the death of a Tampa police detective almost a year ago.

Prosecutors said Jose Espinoza hit Detective Juan Serrano's car, then tried to flee in February 2006.

The trial was supposed to start last fall, but was postponed in September and October while the state attorney's office waited for DNA test results.

Serrano was traveling home from work when a car driven by Espinoza ran through a red light at Gibsonton Road and the I-75 exit ramp. Serrano was the personal driver and bodyguard for Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio.

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After the crash, Espinoza jumped out of the car and ran away. He was caught minutes later and charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident, no valid driver license and held on an immigration detainer for being in the United States illegally.

Hispanic liaison with the Tampa Police Department, Brenda Canino, considered Serrano a close friend. Canino works with the Hispanic community talking about a number of issues, including drunk driving.

Canino said Serrano's story is making an impact on the people she works with.

"Yes, they are adhering to what I am saying to them," Canino said. "They are very sympathetic to the whole situation, to the point where they relate that 'That could have been me on the way home, or someone else, but it is was Juan.' So they understand on top of the fact that he was Hispanic, it makes them listen a little better."

Serrano was Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio's bodyguard.

Espinoza faces two felony charges. If convicted on both he could face several years in prison.

Police believe there was a second person in the car with Espinoza at the time of the accident. That person has never been found. Detectives believe that man was most likely a hitchhiker.

Iorio said she would not be commenting on the case and she is not expected to testify.

Espinoza is originally from Tabasco, Mexico, and did not have a license to drive in Florida. If convicted, immigrations would put him in a detention center and work on deporting him.