Witness refuses questions as Cape Coral murder case of 15-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller nears trial

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

Thomas Stein, one of the teens accused of killing 15-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller in 2024, was back in court Monday afternoon. Attorneys talked about having the father of his co-defendant, Christopher Horne Sr., to answer questions for the case.

Christopher Horne Sr. is the father of Stein's co-defendant, Christopher Horne Jr., who already took a plea.

Stein and Horne Jr. are accused of shooting and killing Kayla Rincon Miller two years ago after a night out at the movies with her friends in Southeast Cape Coral.

On Saturday, community members in Cape Coral got together for "The power of us," an event honoring Kayla.

Horne Sr. is listed as a witness in Stein's case. There had been a deposition scheduled for Horne Sr. in January.

The defense attorney says Horne Sr. refused to answer questions and tried to resolve this at the time of the deposition, in order to avoid filing this motion, but couldn't. It also states Horne Sr. gave no explanation for refusing to answer.

In court Monday, both the defense and state said Horne Sr. continues to be difficult.

"Mr. Horne Sr. was entirely uncooperative; even just him getting there was very difficult. A lot of the questions he was asked, he would have a Fifth Amendment right potentially because he was being asked crimes, I believe that he potentially committed with regard to this case," said state attorney Sara Miller.

The judge didn't make any decision on the motion Monday. He said the state will have to serve Horne Sr. to require him to appear in court.

Horne Jr. is expected to be sentenced in May. Stein is expected on trial April 27.

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