Nicolae Miu found guilty of homicide in Apple River stabbing
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A St. Croix County jury found Nicolae Miu guilty of first-degree reckless homicide in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Isaac Schuman during a confrontation on the Apple River in July 2022.
Why it matters: The verdict shows the jury didn't buy Miu's claim that he was acting in self defense during a physical altercation when he was surrounded by a group of boys and several adults who stepped in on their side.
Zoom in: Miu was also found guilty of four counts of reckless endangerment for stabbing four other tubers that day and for one count of battery.
Catch up quick: A cell phone video recorded by one of Schuman's friends was a key piece of evidence. It showed the three minutes leading up to the stabbing. Jurors asked to view the video again during deliberations.
- Miu said he went near the boys while looking for a lost cell phone. The boys admitted to calling him a pedophile and video shows them taunting him later.
- Prosecutors argued Miu had plenty of chances to walk away during the confrontation, but chose to pull a knife from his pocket.
What's next: Wisconsin statute calls for a recommended sentence of up to 60 years for first-degree reckless homicide, according to KARE 11.
- A sentencing date hasn't been set, but St. Croix County District Attorney Karl Anderson told reporters he expects it to be in about six weeks.
Editor's note: This story's headline has been corrected to show Miu was found guilty of homicide, not murder.