The other teen involved in the death of 15-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller during a failed robbery attempt in Cape Coral, Florida, in 2024, told the court during his sentencing hearing that “I’m not a monster.”

Two Teens Convicted of Murder

Christopher Horne Jr. pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and three counts of attempted robbery as part of a plea deal to receive a lesser sentence so long as he testified against his co-defendant, Thomas Roy Stein, who was convicted earlier this month.

Horne and Stein were accused of the fatal shooting of Rincon-Miller on March 17, 2024, after driving a rental car head-on into her and her two friends. The victim and her two friends were walking to a McDonald’s after seeing a movie on the evening of the incident. 

Surviving Victims Recall Shooting

The two surviving victims testified at Stein’s that they were walking when a car passed them and flipped a U-turn and flashed their high-beams at them. They were approached by the vehicle, saw two men jump out, and pointed guns at them. The next thing they hear is a gunshot, and they see their friend lying on the ground.

Christopher Horne Jr.’s Sentencing Hearing

One of the surviving victims, Louann Dejaie, spoke at Horne’s sentencing hearing on Tuesday, describing the pain they have endured. “I have suffered so much mentally and physically since this night occurred,” she said.

“They wanted our money, but the only thing they took was her life.”

The sentencing hearing was briefly paused when Judge Nicholas Thompson noticed several people in the courtroom reading a piece of paper and laughing. He warned them that if the outbursts continue, they will be removed. 

After the judge handled the disruption, the defendant had an opportunity to speak freely to the court, and he chose to offer an apology to the victim’s friends and family. “I’m not a monster. I feel like the demons I fought as a child played a part and impacted my future,” Horne said. 

“I just want to say to the family and the victims, I’m deeply sorry for the role I played in your loved one’s death.”

Plea Deal Sentence

Under normal circumstances, if Horne had pleaded not guilty, he would have faced a minimum of 27 years in prison. However, he pleaded guilty and accepted a plea deal from prosecutors stating that if he testified against his co-defendant, he would receive a reduced sentence.

Because of his plea deal, he was sentenced to 25 years for second-degree murder and 15 years for each of the attempted robbery charges, which are to be served concurrently to the murder charge. Horne’s sentence will be reviewed after 15 years served because he is still a juvenile.

Co-Defendant’s Sentencing

Prosecutors said the evidence showed Horne as a passenger in the vehicle that drove up on the three girls. It showed he was not the person who pulled the trigger and killed Rincon-Miller, but that the driver of the vehicle did, Thomas Roy Stein. 

Throughout Stein’s trial, prosecutors insisted the driver of the vehicle was responsible for the victim’s death and was the one who ultimately pulled the trigger. However, it is still unknown who shot the victim. Both sides argued it was the other, but at the end of the day, there is no video evidence to corroborate either story, and the witnesses do not recall.

Stein testified on his behalf, claiming he was not as involved as they were making it seem, and he at one point tried to stop the situation. He claimed there were more than just him and Horne at the scene, but again, it cannot be proved.

At the beginning of this month, Stein was found guilty of felony murder with a firearm and three counts of attempted robbery. He is facing life in prison, and his sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 10.