Stein is on trial for the shooting death of 15-year-old Kayla Rincon Miller. Prosecutors have not said whether he was the shooter.
Instead, her friends testified that the driver of the car, who was described as a white, blonde-haired, light-eyed young boy, was the shooter. The trial is taking place at the Lee County Courthouse.
Jessica Stein, Thomas Stein’s mother, testified that she took her kids and one of Thomas Stein’s friends to the beach on March 17 and came back later that day. Cape Coral police say that night, Kayla Rincon Miller was shot and killed while walking to a McDonald’s with her friends.
Now, two years later, Thomas Stein is on trial, charged with her homicide. Stein’s co-defendant, Christopher Horne Jr., who Jessica Stein confirmed her son was hanging out with that night, took a plea deal in September and agreed to testify against Stein.
Jessica and Thomas were visibly emotional in the courtroom while Jessica testified in open court. [placeholder: courtroom video showing Jessica crying and Thomas wiping his eyes]
The defense asked Jessica Stein a direct question about her son’s involvement.
“Did your son ever confess to you that he was the one who shot Kayla Rincon Miller?” the defense asked. “No, sir,” she said.
The state questioned Jessica Stein about potential evidence tampering.
“Did you have any discussions with the Horne family about getting rid of evidence?” the state asked. “Christopher Horne Senior was giving me instructions on how to get rid of evidence, but I did not follow them,” she said.
Horne is expected to testify against Stein in this case.