Screenshot / YouTube, FOX 9; Screenshot / X, Ian Miles Cheong, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

The Minnesota man embroiled in a harrowing water tubing melee that claimed the life of one teen and injured several others has staunchly defended his actions, insisting he resorted to using a knife in self-defense to ward off what he perceived as a life-threatening attack.

Nicolae Miu, 54, took to the witness stand on Tuesday, adamantly asserting that he felt compelled to reach for a knife amid a tumultuous encounter with a group of rowdy teenagers on July 30, 2022, along Wisconsin's Apple River.

His actions resulted in the tragic death of 17-year-old honor student Isaac Schuman.

“I was surrounded, they were yelling, they had just pushed me, and it seemed like they were not backing away,” Miu recounted during his testimony, painting a vivid picture of the escalating confrontation.

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Miu recounted the events leading up to the tragic stabbing in a meticulous narrative accompanied by video evidence capturing the chaotic moments preceding the fatal altercation,

The chain of events unfolded when he was purportedly searching for a friend's lost phone in the St. Croix County river. However, tensions flared when the group of teenagers accused him of inappropriate behavior, alleging that he was taking photos and “looking for little girls.”

Miu described feeling a mounting sense of fear as the situation spiraled out of control and verbal exchanges escalated into physical confrontation. “I’m reaching for my pocket knife because, at one point, my fear was getting really high. I was getting ready to pull it up,” he explained, justifying his decision to arm himself.

The situation quickly descended into chaos when Miu found himself allegedly attacked by members of the group, with one teenager purportedly punching him in the face and attempting to push him underwater.

Miu asserted that he resorted to using the knife in self-defense, as he was overwhelmed and fearing for his life, despite being unable to recall the exact sequence of events due to being “in a fog.”

Miu adamantly maintained that he acted out of necessity to protect himself. When pressed by the defense about whether he believed his actions were justified, Miu responded unequivocally, “Absolutely. I believe I would have been killed that day.”

Miu has steadfastly maintained his assertion of self-defense throughout the trial, contending that he was besieged by the teenagers who he likened to “wolves” attacking him from all angles.

Conflicting testimonies from witnesses have added complexity to the case, however. While some witnesses corroborated Miu's narrative of being the victim, others claimed he was the aggressor, initiating the altercation by approaching the group or resorting to violence first.

Miu has pleaded not guilty as he faces charges of first-degree homicide and attempted first-degree homicide.

Miu has remained steadfast in his assertion that his actions were driven by a genuine fear for his life amidst a chaotic and threatening encounter with the group of teenagers.

Additional body camera footage was presented in the trial late last week, documenting the pandemonium that unfolded as law enforcement officers arrived on the river scene, CBS News reports.

The footage depicts individuals walking up the riverbank, with some visibly distraught, crying, while others can be heard shouting that people have been stabbed.

St. Croix County Deputy Benjamin Trebian’s testimony provided the jury with initial insight into Miu’s arrest.