Trial begins for Cape Coral teen accused in 15-year-old’s murder | Lee County
FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — A jury was seated for the trial of Thomas Stein after a rocky begin.
Stein is charged with the murder of 15-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller in March 2024. The state informed the freshly seated jury concerning the night time Rincon-Miller was shot and killed on Southeast sixteenth Place in Cape Coral close to Del Prado Boulevard and the Coralwood Mall after watching a film together with her mates.
The state informed the court docket that Stein approached Rincon-Miller, attempting to rob her. They say that in a scuffle, the gun went off, and the boys have been shocked.
The state additionally informed the court docket Rincon-Miller’s mates tried to save lots of her. Two years later, it is nonetheless unclear who killed her.
FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — A jury was seated for the trial of Thomas Stein after a rocky begin, and opening statements are actually underway.
The first witness took the stand on Wednesday.
A Cape Coral police officer who was the primary one on the scene that night time testified.
He known as it chaotic and located Rincon-Miller shot. His physique digital camera video performed in the courtroom.
Who fired the shot that killed Kayla Rincon-Miller has been one of many many lingering questions for two years. The State Attorney’s Office made it clear they consider Stein did.
“Christopher Horn and Thomas Stein had gotten out of that car with guns in hand, ready to commit a robbery, the gun went off by Thomas Stein,” a prosecutor mentioned.
But his attorneys disagree, arguing that the opposite suspect, Christopher Horne Jr., lied to prosecutors behind closed doorways. Defense attorneys informed the jury they need to put together themselves for what comes out of the witness stand.
Prosecutors say they have been in a rental SUV. Now, the court docket is studying there have been others inside.
Prosecutors argue Stein drove and Horne Jr. was a passenger. Bodycamera video from Officer Jamil Vega was performed in entrance of everybody.
In the video, a witness describes seeing 5 folks, together with a white male driver who appeared 17 to twenty years previous with blonde hair. You can hear Vega ask Rincon-Miller if she noticed who shot her.
She mentioned no. He then requested if there’s any cause anybody would harm her.
She mentioned no. Officer Vega mentioned he did what he may to save lots of his life.
“I observed she had an apparent gunshot wound to her chest and had been losing a lot of blood. I have another female in tears trying to help put some pressure on her chest. I have another female in tears on 911 trying to get information over and trying to get help to her so there wasn’t the most controlled scene,” Vega mentioned.
Kayla Rincon-Miller. CREDIT: Rincon-Miller household
If Stein is discovered responsible of first-degree murder, he may face the remainder of his life behind bars. Police mentioned Stein is just not the one who pulled the set off.
The prosecutors and protection attorneys have to seek out individuals who really feel might be honest and unbiased all through this murder trial. That means asking dozens of individuals many questions, akin to whether or not they know something concerning the case. On Tuesday, 12 out of 13 folks raised their fingers and mentioned they’d heard about this case by means of the media.
Jury choice has additionally been set again after the households of Stein and Christopher Horne Jr. have been shouting at one another on Monday. Horne Jr. took a plea deal to testify towards Stein.
Prosecutors mentioned Horne Jr.’s household was speaking concerning the case behind the jurors from the again of the courtroom on Monday. Judge Nicholas Thompson nervous that potential jurors would not be neutral after listening to these conversations, so each the prosecution and protection groups requested that every one of these potential jurors be dismissed.
Jury choice started all over again on Tuesday. Horne Jr.’s aunt and mom weren’t in the courtroom, however Stein’s household was.
By the tip of the day, 14 potential jurors had been chosen. Jury choice continues with one other new group of fifty folks.
FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — Jury choice stretches into a 3rd day on Wednesday in the trial of 18-year-old Thomas Stein, one of many teenagers charged in the demise of 15-year-old Kayla Rincon Miller.
Questions stay about who the opposite folks in the automobile have been that night time and whether or not they may take the stand. The trial picks again up at 8:30 am on Thursday.
