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Thomas Stein Sentenced to Life Plus 45 in Kayla Rincon-Miller's Murder, the Bridegan Murder-for-Hire Fight Over the Widow's Phone, and a WD-
Published 1 week, 6 days ago
Description
A three-case roundup. In Lee County, Florida, eighteen-year-old Thomas Stein was sentenced to life in prison plus 45 years after a jury convicted him of first-degree felony murder in the 2024 shooting death of fifteen-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller, who was walking to get food with two friends after a movie when prosecutors say Stein and a co-defendant stopped to rob them; because Stein was sixteen at the time, the life sentence carries a review after fifteen years. Whether Stein fired the fatal shot is disputed — he maintains he did not — but Florida's felony murder law does not require it. In Jacksonville, Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez Saldana, who have pleaded not guilty in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of Gardner's ex-husband Jared Bridegan, were in court as Gardner's defense sought access to the phone of Bridegan's widow, Kirsten; prosecutors called it a fishing expedition. Trials begin in August. And in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Phyllis Palazzola was indicted on attempted murder and related charges after a longtime friend alleged Palazzola tried to subdue her with a WD-40-soaked rag over an unpaid $180,000 loan; Palazzola has not entered a plea and is due for arraignment July 21st. This episode describes a stated plan of murder-suicide; if you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7.
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Join our new FB groups page here. Take the poll!
Join the Daily Crime & Justice community on social media! We're building a passionate group of true crime enthusiasts who love diving deep into the most shocking cases in America.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram by searching "Daily Crime & Justice" on either platform.
You'll get exclusive behind-the-scenes content, breaking news updates on cases we're covering, and early alerts when new episodes drop. Our social media is where Garret Fisher's hottest takes live, including reactions that don't make it into the show.
But more importantly, it's where YOU come in. Share your theories, debate the verdicts, and connect with fellow listeners who are just as obsessed with justice as you are. Did the jury get it right? What questions do you still have? Your comments and insights often shape future episodes.
We cover the trials that matter, but our community makes the conversation unforgettable. Come for Garret's signature cynical commentary, stay for the incredible discussions with thousands of true crime fans who get it.