Teen accused in Kayla Rincon-Miller’s shooting death to be released before trial

Reporter: Jolena Esperto Writer: Nicholas Karsen
Published: Updated:
Kayla Rincon-Miller
Thomas Roy Stein’s mugshot. Credit: The Lee County Sheriff’s Office

While in court Monday morning, a judge ruled that a teen accused of being involved in the murder of a 15-year-old Cape Coral girl will be released on Wednesday ahead of his trial.

Thomas Stein, 16, who stands accused of participating in the murder of 15-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller, appeared in court Monday morning.

Stein will get released because, under Florida law, most teenage offenders can be released if their trial doesn’t start within three weeks of their arrest.

According to the Cape Coral Police Department, Stein is not believed to have been the gunman after a thorough investigation was conducted following his arrest.

The CCPD believes the gunman is still on the loose.

Rincon-Miller was killed on March 17 in an attempted robbery after leaving a movie theater in Cape Coral with her friends.

Stein was arrested two days later after police recognized the vehicle used to ambush Rincon-Miller and her friends.

According to CCPD, a grey Nissan Pathfinder rented by Stein’s mother was used in the shooting; however, it remains unclear how many people were inside the vehicle.

In the police report, Thomas’ mother, Jessica, claimed she witnessed her son and two friends at her home around 6 p.m. She then claimed not to see them until 10 p.m.

Stein faces the possibility of being charged as an adult for the shooting.

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