What changed for residents: On July 10, 2026, a Lee County judge imposed a life sentence plus a consecutive 45 years on an 18-year-old convicted in connection with the March 17, 2024, death of 15-year-old Kayla Rincon‑Miller. The ruling closes a high-profile local case that drew community attention to youth violence and public safety in the Cape Coral area.
Sentencing and court outcome
A Lee County judge, Nicholas Thompson, sentenced Thomas Stein, 18, of North Fort Myers to life in prison on one count of first-degree murder. The judge permitted a review of the life sentence after 15 years but separately imposed a consecutive 45-year term for armed robbery that must be served after the life term.
Stein’s co-defendant, Christopher Horne Jr., received a 25-year prison term after entering a no-contest plea and testifying for the state. Prosecutors say both were involved in an attempted robbery the night Rincon‑Miller was killed; two other teens, Louann Dejaie and Emma Wright, survived that attack and provided statements at sentencing.
Victims’ and defendant’s statements
Before the sentence was imposed, Stein was given the opportunity to address the court. He apologized to the victims and to Rincon‑Miller’s family. The surviving robbery victims also spoke.
“As I reflect on that night, I try to understand the damages and pains that were inflicted but the truth is, I don’t think I could approximate the damage that was done, or understand the totality of what everybody went through,” Stein said. “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.”
Local context and implications
The sentences wrap up a criminal proceeding tied to an incident that occurred more than two years after the March 17, 2024, fatal shooting. Community members in Cape Coral and surrounding Lee County have followed the case closely, given the ages of those involved and the violent nature of the crime.
Officials from the Lee County judicial system handled prosecution and sentencing. The decision to allow a 15-year review of the life sentence means parole or resentencing could be considered in the future under state procedures, but the consecutive 45-year armed robbery term ensures a long, additional period behind bars if the life term were ever altered.
- Case date: March 17, 2024 (crime occurred)
- Defendant: Thomas Stein, 18, sentenced to life with a 15-year review + consecutive 45 years for armed robbery
- Co-defendant: Christopher Horne Jr., 25 years after no-contest plea and cooperation
- Victims: Kayla Rincon‑Miller (deceased), Louann Dejaie and Emma Wright (survivors)
| Person | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Thomas Stein | Life for first-degree murder (15-year review allowed) + consecutive 45 years for armed robbery |
| Christopher Horne Jr. | 25-year sentence after no-contest plea and testimony for the state |
The sentences will be carried out within Florida’s correctional system. Local leaders and public-safety officials have not issued additional statements to the public beyond court remarks. Community members seeking more information about court scheduling or victim services can contact the Lee County Clerk of Court or local victim‑advocacy organizations.
