For the second time in less than a year, 22-year-old Sergio Berben found himself on the witness stand, recounting the events that led to the tragic death of his girlfriend, Andrea Camps-Lacayo.
“She was the person I was supposed to spend my life with,” Berben said in court on Tuesday, pointing at Adrian Cosby, the man accused of pulling the trigger. “That’s the guy who destroyed everything.”
Earlier this year, Berben’s testimony helped convict George Oshane Walton, 24, of first-degree murder for his involvement in the shooting, even though Walton didn’t fire a gun.
He was sentenced to life in prison for the crime that left Andrea, a high school senior, dead.
On Tuesday, Berben was back in court, this time for Walton’s friend, Adrian Cosby, who is also facing charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and armed robbery.
Prosecutors argue that Cosby, 23, is the one who actually fired the shot that killed Camps-Lacayo.
In his opening statement, Miami-Dade prosecutor Khalil Quinan told the jury they would see security footage showing Cosby and Walton together before the botched robbery that led to the fatal shooting.
“One robbery, one gun, one bullet,” Quinan said. “Adrian Cosby shot her in a failed robbery attempt.”
However, Cosby’s defense lawyer, Dustin Tischler, had a different version of events.
He claimed his client was merely out for a walk when the shooting occurred and suggested that Berben was confused about what really happened.
Tischler argued that it was Walton who committed the crime and that Cosby was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The shooting took place in April 2020, in a quiet neighborhood in Homestead, where Camps-Lacayo, just 18 years old, tragically lost her life.
The robbery was centered around three pairs of rare, high-end sneakers that Berben was selling.
Despite the fact that the sneakers had a retail price of $220, they were so highly sought after that Berben had arranged to sell them for $935.
Berben explained that on the day of the sale, he was with Camps-Lacayo when a man named Eric Readon, a middleman in the deal, called to set up the meeting.
Berben and Camps-Lacayo drove to the arranged location, a gated community, in Berben’s Jeep.
When they arrived, Berben parked in front of an abandoned house, as instructed.
Walton showed up first, and Berben said the two began talking. As they chatted, Berben noticed, through his rearview mirror, that Cosby was walking toward them.
Without any warning, Cosby pulled out a gun and opened fire, hitting Camps-Lacayo in the stomach and Berben in the arm.
According to Berben, Cosby didn’t say a word before shooting.
“He just shot her, like it didn’t even matter,” Berben said.
Bleeding and panicked, Berben sped off in his Jeep, calling 911 as he drove away.
The court listened to the heartbreaking 911 call, in which Berben desperately tried to explain what happened.
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On the phone with the emergency operator, Berben described how Camps-Lacayo was losing consciousness as he struggled to keep pressure on her wound.
“She’s not awake anymore,” Berben told the operator, his voice breaking.
The trial for Cosby is expected to last several days, with no indication that Cosby will testify in his own defense.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.
