Early-2026 trial opens: jury seated March 9, openings March 10, Martine Moïse first witness

Jury selection began Monday, March 9, 2026 in Miami federal court before Judge Jacqueline Becerra, and a panel of 12 jurors and 4 alternates was sworn in that evening. Opening statements followed on Tuesday, March 10. Sanon's case had been severed for medical reasons, so four men stood trial: Pretel Ortiz, Intriago, Veintemilla and Solages, all pleading not guilty. Martine Moïse was the prosecution's first witness: testifying through a Creole interpreter, she described waking to gunfire after 1 a.m. on July 7, 2021 and her husband's last words — “Honey, we are dead” — and how she survived by playing dead. The trial ran nine weeks, with more than 40 witnesses.