If you have a strong interest in true crime, you’ve probably heard about Nicolae “Nick” Miu and the unexpected turn that completely changed his life. This story’s so gripping it snagged a spot on A&E’s Accused: Did I Do It? in the episode “Pocket Knife Killer or Vulnerable Vacationer?”—which just aired on March 27, 2025. It centers on a case where a day out on a river with friends turns deadly. A man stabs five people with a pocket knife after a confrontation. The defense argues that he acted in self-defense, believing his life was in danger, while the prosecution contends that he was the aggressor, making it an intentional homicide. Notably, the incident was captured on cellphone footage, which likely plays a key role in the episode’s examination of the evidence.
A&E’s “Accused: Did I Do It?,” a docuseries, explores real-life criminal cases, focusing on individuals facing trial for serious offenses, and presents the evidence and perspectives from both the prosecution and defense to leave viewers questioning the truth until the final reveal. Here at Spiky TV, we’re breaking down the Nicolae Miu story to answer all your big questions.
A Fun Day Out Turns Deadly
It’s July 30, 2022, and Nick Miu, a 54-year-old from Minnesota, is tubing down the Apple River in Wisconsin with his crew. Nick is a typical individual, a mechanical engineer with a stable job, a contented marriage, and no legal issues. Born in Bucharest, Romania, Nick came to the U.S. as a teen with his twin brother, Mihai, chasing a fresh start. That summer day, he’s just kicking back, soaking up the sun.
But then, everything shifts. Nick splits off from his group to search for a friend’s lost phone. With goggles and a snorkel, he’s poking around in the river when he bumps into a bunch of rowdy teens. Out of the blue, they start hurling insults—calling him “pedophile” and “raper.” Things escalate fast. Another group joins in, and soon, 13 people surround him. They’re shoving him, hitting him, and knocking him into the water. That’s when the Nicolae Miu stabbing goes down.
In a frantic moment, Nick pulls a pocket knife and swings. Five people get hit: Ryhley Mattison, A.J. Martin, Dante Carlson, Tony Carlson, and 17-year-old Isaac Schuman. Sadly, Isaac doesn’t pull through—he dies from chest wounds at the hospital. Nick ditches the knife on the riverbank, stumbles back to his friends, and before long, the police nab him. He’s slapped with charges: first-degree intentional homicide, four counts of attempted homicide, and battery after allegedly punching a woman, Madison Coen, in the mess.
Was It Self-Defense or Cold-Blooded Violence?
Here’s where the Nicolae Miu trial gets tricky. Nick insists it was self-defense. He claims he was terrified—being a guy who’d had quadruple bypass surgery in 2020, facing a mob yelling insults and getting physical. “My fear crept up,” he later testified. “I just reacted.” His defense team shows cellphone footage of the group ganging up on him, arguing it proves his side.
The prosecution, though? They’re not sold. They say Nick had chances to walk away but chose violence instead. They highlight how he punched Madison Coen before pulling the knife, framing him as the one who lit the fuse. That video? They argue it shows him ramping things up, not just protecting himself. So, is Nicolae Miu guilty or innocent? That’s the tough call the jury had to make.
The Trial and Verdict: What Happened?
Jump to April 2024—almost two years later—and Nick’s in court. The trial runs nine days, and it’s heavy. Nick testifies, admitting he lied to cops at first, saying he grabbed the knife from a teen. Nope, it was his. He tells the jury he felt cornered and scared for his life. After seven hours of debate, the verdict lands on April 11, 2024: guilty. Nick’s convicted of first-degree reckless homicide for Isaac’s death, four counts of recklessly endangering safety, and battery against Madison.
Then, the Nicolae Miu sentence drops. On July 31, 2024, he’s back in court. Before the judge rules, Nick speaks, voice thick with sorrow. “I never meant for this tragedy to occur,” he tells Isaac’s family. “My soul is broken. I’m so sorry.” He gets 20 years in prison, plus six years of extended supervision—lighter than the possible 60 years, thanks to his clean record. He also scores concurrent sentences for the other stabbings and nine months for the battery charge.
Where Is Nick Miu Today?
So, where’s Nicolae Miu now? As of this Spiky TV update on March 28, 2025, he’s locked up at Stanley Correctional Institution in Stanley, Wisconsin. That’s the latest Nicolae Miu update, and he’s facing a long stretch. How long is Nicolae Miu in jail for? With 20 years behind bars, plus six more of supervision, he’ll be in his mid-70s by the time he’s out—if he gets there, considering his shaky health post-heart surgery. Currently, he is adapting to life in a medium-security prison, a stark contrast to his previous days as a free man, when he was tubing rivers and tinkering with engineering projects. Stanley’s got about 1,500 inmates, and Nick’s one of them, serving time in a place known for its tight security and rural vibe. His days of freedom are on hold, and with his sentence just starting, he’s got years to reflect on that fateful river day. Will he appeal? No word yet, but given the high-profile nature of his case, it’s not off the table. For now, this is where the Nicolae Miu story sits—in a Wisconsin cell, waiting out the clock.
Why Was Nicolae Miu Attacked?
Let’s rewind—why was Nicolae Miu attacked to begin with? It kicked off with a mix-up. He’s snorkeling for that phone, and the teens think he’s acting shady. Their taunts spiral into a full-blown clash. Toss in some booze—pretty common on tubing trips—and tempers flare quick. The A&E episode dives into this, showing how a split-second mess turned lethal.
Got opinions? Drop them below—I’d love to hear your take on this wild saga! For more true crime goodies, stick with us here at the site.
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