Minnesota man guilty of reckless homicide, other charges in Apple River stabbing trial

A Minnesota man was found guilty of charges Thursday related to him stabbing and killing a 17-year-old boy and injuring five others in a fight along the Apple River near Somerset in 2022.

Nicolae Miu, 54, of Prior Lake, Minn., was convicted of one count of first-degree reckless homicide while using a dangerous weapon in the death of 17-year-old Isaac Schuman of Stillwater, Minn.; four counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety while using a dangerous weapon; and one count of battery.

Miu had been charged with first-degree intentional homicide and four counts of attempted first-degrcee intentional homicide, along with the battery charge, but the jury had the option to choose the lesser charges as an alternative.

The incident on July 30, 2022, erupted from an argument between Miu and a group of young people, all of whom were tubing on the river.

During the eight-day trial in St. Croix County Circuit Court in Hudson, Miu testified the stabbings were in self-defense after he was confronted by the other group. Prosecutors said Miu was the aggressor.

The group had accused Miu — who was tubing on the river with his wife and others — of approaching children in the river. Miu said he was using a snorkle and goggles to look for a lost cellphone. A fight ensued, which led to the stabbings.

A sentencing date wasn't immediately scheduled.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Minnesota man guilty of reckless homicide in Apple River stabbing