Thomas Stein Sentenced to Life Plus 45 Years in Cape Coral Teen Murder

Thomas Stein, 18, was sentenced to life in prison on July 10 by Judge Nicholas Thompson for the first-degree murder of 15-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller. Stein also received a consecutive 45-year sentence for three counts of armed robbery. The shooting occurred on March 17, 2024, when Stein and co-defendant Christopher Horne Jr. attempted to rob three girls walking near a Cape Coral movie theater. Stein’s co-defendant testified against him at trial and received 25 years in prison.

How the shooting happened

On March 17, 2024, Kayla Rincon-Miller and two friends left a movie theater in Cape Coral and walked toward a McDonald’s for food. An SUV pulled up and flashed its high beams at the girls near East 20th Street and Southeast 16th Place. Stein, armed with a gun and driving a rented SUV, and his co-defendant exited the vehicle to rob them. During the robbery attempt, a gunshot rang out and Kayla was hit. She died from her injuries at a local hospital.

Trial and conviction

Stein was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery in May 2026. His co-defendant, Christopher Horne Jr., testified that he saw Stein shoot Kayla. Stein took the stand and claimed others in the car fired the shot, not him. After conviction, Stein requested a new trial, arguing that a victim’s friend gave conflicting testimony. The judge denied the motion.

Sentencing and victim impact

At sentencing on Friday, Stein apologized to the victims and their families. “That day I made a terrible decision. The decision to get behind the wheel was a total act of selfishness, and something I regret and I’m ashamed of every day,” he said. Survivors Louann Dejaie and Emma Wright described lasting trauma. Dejaie said she felt “trapped in a coma that I can’t wake up from.” The judge denied Stein’s request for a hug before handing down the sentence.

What comes next

Stein must serve life in prison with a 15-year review eligibility built into the sentence. He will also serve a consecutive 45-year sentence for armed robbery. His co-defendant, Christopher Horne Jr., was sentenced to 25 years after pleading no contest and agreeing to testify. Both teens were charged as adults after the State Attorney’s Office direct-filed the case from juvenile court.

Final Thoughts

Stein’s life sentence with a 15-year review means he will spend decades in prison for a crime committed at age 16. The case underscores how juvenile offenders charged as adults face adult penalties, and how a single decision to participate in a robbery can result in a lifetime behind bars.

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