Florida: Teen Who Stabbed Cheerleader 114 Times Could Not Be Saved
On May 9, 2021, Florida cheerleader Tristyn Bailey, 13, was stabbed to death by her then-14-year-old classmate Aiden Fucci. Now 16, the teen killer faced his victim's mother as she testified in court.
Back on February 6, Fucci pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in a move that surprised many. According to Fox News, the teen stabbed Tristyn Bailey 114 times before leaving her body in a wooded area near a pond.
Stacy Bailey, the victim's mother, took the stand in an emotional hearing and said, "Your Honor, I plead with you, please consider everything he has done to our daughter and our family. Aiden Fucci made a heinous decision on May 9, 2021, and took the very life that I brought into this world."
She then added, "Please do not for one second think that he could be rehabilitated at any point. He is beyond saving."
Judge R. Lee Smith of the 7th Judicial Circuit heard the case and allowed the family of Tristyn Bailey, including her father and three of her four older sisters, to address him. All of them urged him to impose the maximum sentence.
Fucci is not eligible for the death penalty as he committed the crime when he was still 14. However, he is still being tried as an adult, given the severity of his crime. He faces a minimum of 40 years in prison and could be sentenced as early as Friday.
Aiden Fucci Writes Apology Letter to Tristyn Bailey's Family and the Judge
According to First Coast News, Aiden Fucci wrote a letter not just to his victim's family but also to his own family, as well as the judge. For the latter, he begged to be sentenced none times throughout the letter.
For the Bailey family, he wrote, "I'm sorry that you didn't get to know her that long," before adding, "You did not have any long relationships with Tristen and for that i'm sorry," he said while misspelling the teen cheerleader's name.
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He also wrote to his mother, Crystal Smith, writing that he misses her pepper chicken.
"The longer I'm in here the more i forget the more memories i Lose. I'll never forget you love me," stated the murder suspect.
Fucci's mother has also been charged with tampering with evidence relating to her son's murder of Tristyn Bailey.
Aiden Fucci Trial Reminds Jacksonville Community of 1998 Murder of 8-Year-Old
Tristyn Bailey's murder shares several similarities with an old case from back in 1998, according to News 4 Jacksonville. In that case, then-14-year-old Joshua Phillips murdered 8-year-old Maddie Clifton.
Chief Assistant State Attorney Jay Plotkin, who tried that 1998 case, stated that the judge had to weigh many different factors, including the age and mental capacity of a 14-year-old, and with the Fucci case, the judge would have to do the same thing,
He also noted that this case impacted the Jacksonville community, as the little girl was murdered by her neighbor, beaten and stabbed repeatedly, then hidden under Phillips' waterbed. Her murderer even participated in the search around the neighborhood for Maddie.
The prosecutor also pointed out similarities, including both victims being stabbed over 100 times and their bodies being left in the woods. The mindset of the young perpetrators is also questioned in both cases.
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Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Aiden Fucci Prosecutor Urges Judge to Hand Down Life Sentence to Teen Killer - Law&Crime Network