Apple River stabbing trial: Prosecution questions Nicolae Miu [FULL]

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul

9 Apr 202496:25

Summary

TLDRThe transcript appears to be a courtroom examination involving a witness, Mr. Miller, who was present during an incident at a river. He admits to drinking beer earlier in the day and bringing a knife for utility purposes. The conversation revolves around the details of the day, including the loss of a phone in a float case, the actions taken to find it, and the subsequent events that led to a stabbing. Mr. Miller's recollection is challenged, and he is questioned about his actions and the inconsistencies in his story, including his failure to notify authorities about the incident.

Takeaways

🍺 The defendant, Mr. Miller, admits to drinking beer earlier in the day.
📸 Exhibit 12 is a group photo taken at the beginning of the river trip where everyone, including Mr. Miller, appears to have an alcoholic beverage.
📱 Phone cases were a common sight around the necks of people in Mr. Miller's group and others along the river, with River's Edge selling or renting these cases.
🔪 Mr. Miller was instructed to bring a knife to cut strings or ropes for the tubes, but later claimed to have returned it to the car, though it was found in his pocket.
🕵️ Mr. Miller's testimony contains inconsistencies regarding the knife and his actions after the tubes were tied together.
👕 Mr. Miller was wearing a long-sleeved camel shirt, hat, and sunglasses at the start of the river trip, which could potentially conflict with his later actions.
📱 The lost phone was a subject of discussion within Mr. Miller's group, with some members not being concerned about the loss due to insurance coverage.
🥽 Mr. Miller claims to have volunteered to look for the lost phone, which annoyed some members of his group due to his frequent stops.
🔍 The search for the phone involved Mr. Miller going against the current of the river, which is inconsistent with the behavior of a floating object.
🎥 There is a video involving Mr. Miller and others, but its quality is poor, making it difficult to clearly identify individuals.
🗣️ Mr. Miller expresses fear and confusion throughout the transcript, not recalling certain events or actions taken by himself or others.

Q & A

What was the main activity of the group at the beginning of the river trip?
-The group was drinking and socializing, as indicated by the presence of alcoholic beverages and the group photo taken at the start of the river trip.
Why did Mr. Miller bring a knife on the river trip?
-Mr. Miller brought a knife to cut strings or ropes for the tubes they were using on the river.
Did Mr. Miller initially put the knife back in the car after the tubes were tied together?
-Mr. Miller thought he put the knife back in the car, but it was actually still in his pocket.
What was the purpose of the phone cases with the group members?
-The phone cases were used to protect the phones from water while on the river, and they were either rented or bought from River's Edge.
How did the group react to the loss of the phone?
-The group did not seem to care much about the lost phone because they had insurance to cover it.
Why did Mr. Miller decide to look for the lost phone?
-Mr. Miller volunteered to look for the phone on his own, despite the group's annoyance at his stopping.
What equipment did Mr. Miller have with him when he went to look for the phone?
-Mr. Miller had his goggles and snorkel with him when he went to search for the phone.
What was the reason given for Mr. Miller wearing dark shorts in the video?
-Mr. Miller could not confirm if the person in the dark shorts seen in the video was him, citing the lack of clarity in the video.
What was Mr. Miller's reaction after the incident involving Dante Carlson?
-Mr. Miller stated that he was afraid for his life and did not communicate with anyone, including his best friend Ernesto Torres, about what had happened.
Did Mr. Miller approach the police or emergency personnel after the incident?
-No, Mr. Miller did not approach anyone to report the incident. He stated that he was afraid and chose to float further down the river.
What was the claim regarding the float bag and the phone?
-It was claimed that the phone was in a float bag, which should have kept it floating on top of the water, but Mr. Miller expressed uncertainty about whether it was actually floating or not.

Outlines

00:00

🍺 River Trip and Alcohol Consumption

The first paragraph revolves around a questioning scenario where Mr. Miller is being interrogated about a river trip he took part in. It is established that he and his group had been drinking, as indicated by the group photo where everyone is seen with alcoholic beverages. The discussion also touches on the presence of phone cases around their necks, which were available for rent or purchase at the river edge. Mr. Miller is questioned about a knife he brought along, initially claiming he left it in the car after using it to cut strings or ropes for the tubes. However, it is revealed that the knife was actually in his pocket the whole day. The conversation further delves into the loss of a phone in a float case and the subsequent decision-making process regarding whether to look for it.

05:01

🔍 Search for the Lost Phone

This paragraph continues the interrogation regarding the lost phone and the actions taken to find it. The discussion involves the river's current and the logical course of action to search for the phone based on where it was lost. Mr. Miller's decision to search upstream, against the current, is questioned, and he defends his actions by stating he didn't know where the phone was lost. The paragraph also includes a reference to a video that was taken during the incident, which is too unclear to identify individuals. Mr. Miller denies knowing that he was being recorded and is questioned about his actions and whereabouts during the incident.

03:19

🗣️ Testimony and Events Following the Stabbing

The third paragraph focuses on the aftermath of a stabbing incident involving Dante Carlson. Mr. Miller is questioned about his knowledge of being recorded during the incident and his awareness of the people involved. The discussion includes a video that was played during the trial, aiming to identify the individuals present at the scene. Mr. Miller is asked if he recognized himself in the video, and he struggles to confirm his presence due to the unclear quality. The paragraph also covers his actions following the incident, including his return to his group and the lack of communication with them about what happened. He expresses fear and confusion throughout the questioning.

08:21

🚶‍♂️ Reaction and Movements After the Incident

In the final paragraph, Mr. Miller's actions and reactions after the incident are further examined. He is questioned about his decision to put his shirt back on and his lack of initiative to help the injured individuals or communicate with the police. His fear and reluctance to approach the authorities are highlighted, as well as his lack of memory regarding certain events. The conversation with his best friend, Ernesto Torres, is also discussed, with Mr. Miller stating that he did not share any details about the incident with him due to fear for his life. The paragraph concludes with Mr. Miller's claim of acting in self-defense, which he does not clearly articulate or confirm.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Judge

A judge is an official who presides over court proceedings, ensuring that legal matters are conducted fairly and impartially. In the context of the video, the judge is the authority figure managing the trial, asking questions and maintaining order. This role is crucial in the legal process, as the judge's decisions can significantly influence the outcome of the case.

💡Exhibit

In legal proceedings, an exhibit is a piece of physical evidence presented to support a case. Exhibits can include documents, photographs, objects, or any other tangible items that are relevant to the facts of the case. They are marked and entered into the official record to be considered by the judge or jury.

💡Alcoholic Beverage

An alcoholic beverage is a drink that contains ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is a social activity for many but can also be a factor in legal situations, especially if it is relevant to the case, such as impaired judgment or actions leading to an incident.

💡River

A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, sea, lake, or another river. In the context of the video, the river serves as the setting for the events being discussed, and it is central to the narrative as the location where the incident occurred.

💡Knife

A knife is a tool with a sharp edge or blade, typically used for cutting. In legal contexts, a knife can be a significant piece of evidence, especially if it is involved in a violent incident or crime. The presence, use, and handling of a knife can be crucial details in a trial.

💡Tubes

In the context of the script, tubes refer to inflatable devices used for floating on water, often for recreational purposes such as river rafting or tubing. These tubes are mentioned as part of the group's activities on the river and are tied together with ropes, which is relevant to the knife's intended use.

💡Phone Cases

Phone cases are protective covers designed to encase a mobile phone, often to provide additional features such as waterproofing or shock absorption. In the script, phone cases are mentioned as items worn around necks by participants, suggesting that they were engaged in water activities and sought to protect their phones from water damage.

💡Self-Defense

Self-defense is the act of protecting oneself, one's property, or another person from physical harm. In legal terms, it can be a justification for actions that would otherwise be considered illegal, such as using force against an attacker. The concept of self-defense is often complex and depends on the specific circumstances of each case.

💡Police

Police are law enforcement officers who maintain order, enforce laws, and investigate crimes. In the context of the video, the police are involved in the investigation of the incident, gathering evidence, and questioning witnesses, which is a standard procedure in criminal cases.

💡Testimony

Testimony is a formal statement made under oath before a court or other official body, given by a witness or expert. Testimony serves as evidence in legal proceedings and can significantly influence the outcome of a case. It is a critical component of the trial process, as it provides firsthand information about the events in question.

💡River's Edge

River's Edge is mentioned in the script as a location or business that may have provided services or equipment related to the river activities. It could be a rental shop, a store, or a recreational facility that caters to people engaging in water sports or leisure activities on the river.

Highlights

Mr. Miller admits to drinking beer during the day of the incident.

Exhibit 12 is a group photo showing everyone holding alcoholic beverages.

Participants were seen with phone cases around their necks throughout the day.

River's Edge sells or rents phone cases, but Mr. Miller was unaware of this.

Mr. Miller was told to bring a knife to cut strings or ropes for the tubes.

The knife was initially thought to be left in the car after its use.

Mr. Miller had the knife in his pocket the entire day, contradicting previous statements.

River's Edge sells precut cords for a dollar, which Mr. Miller was aware of during the trial.

Mr. Miller was wearing a long-sleeved camel shirt, hat, and sunglasses at the beginning of the river trip.

Ariel's phone was in a float case, as per Mr. Miller's understanding.

There was a group discussion about the value of searching for the lost phone due to insurance coverage.

Mr. Miller volunteered to look for the phone, against the group's wishes.

Mr. Miller had goggles and snorkel when he left to search for the phone, despite the phone being in a float bag.

The phone could not have floated across the river's current, contradicting Mr. Miller's search path.

Mr. Miller drew a diagram of the river for Lieutenant Hart during their meeting.

Mr. Miller changed his story about the location where the phone was lost.

Lack of memory regarding the incident, including not recalling going up or down the river.

Mr. Miller did not inform his best friend, Ernesto Torres, about the events or his fear for his life.

Mr. Miller did not claim self-defense when speaking with Ernesto about the incident.