Miu pleads “not guilty” in Apple River stabbing
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By LeAnn R. Ralph
HUDSON — Nicolae Miu has pleaded “not guilty” in St. Croix County Circuit Court in connection with a stabbing incident on the Apple River in July that left four injured and one dead.
Miu, age 52, of Prior Lake, Minnesota, appeared in court September 8 with his attorneys Aaron Nelson and Corey Chirafisi before Judge Michael R. Waterman for an arraignment hearing.
Miu is charged with five felonies that include one count of first degree intentional homicide and four counts of attempted first degree intentional homicide. He also is charged with one misdemeanor count of battery. All of the charges include the modifier of use of a dangerous weapon.
Chirafisi had received permission from the court at the preliminary hearing on September 2 to attend the arraignment hearing by Zoom.
Nelson was present with the defendant, although Nelson and Miu appeared by video from the jail and were not in the courtroom.
Nelson pointed out to his client that Miu could insist on being physically present in the courtroom, but Miu said he was comfortable with staying in the large hearing room at the jail with Nelson.
District Attorney Karl Anderson told the court that gathering all of the evidence in the case and submitting it to Miu’s attorneys would “take a while” and suggested setting the next court hearing within 30 to 45 days.
Another court hearing has been scheduled for Miu on November 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Judge Waterman set aside 30 minutes for the November 1 hearing.
The judge also granted permission for Chirafisi to attend the next hearing by Zoom.
Miu is not asserting his right to a speedy trial at this time, Nelson told the court.
First degree intentional homicide and attempted first degree intentional homicide are Class A felonies that, upon conviction, carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
Battery is a Class A misdemeanor that carries a penalty, upon conviction, of a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to nine months in jail.
Bail was set at $1 million cash for Miu on August 1.
At the time of the September 8 hearing, Miu remained in custody at the St. Croix County jail.

