The Florida teen who fatally stabbed 13-year-old cheerleader Tristyn Bailey 114 times in 2021 was sentenced Friday to life in prison, authorities said.
Aiden Fucci, 16, was handed the sentence by Judge R. Lee Smith, in accordance to Haley Harrison, with the Workplace of the Point out Attorney, 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida.
Harrison said the sentence is matter to assessment by a choose in 25 decades.
Fucci pleaded responsible in February to to start with-degree murder. He was 14 when he was arrested in the May possibly 9, 2021, slaying.
Forest Bailey, Tristyn’s father, spoke Friday on behalf of his household pursuing the verdict.
He sent his daughter a concept.
“Tristyn, I wished to allow you know we are so incredibly happy of the person that you ended up in your time in this article,” he claimed. “We have viewed that when you went out into the earth, you gave it your really finest. You really should be proud of the pal that you ended up, the teammate that you have been, and what you left guiding and the persons that knew you that we have confidence in will go forward and carry on to make the world a much better location.”
His voice cracked as he ongoing speaking.
“With regard to what you imply to our household, it’s in our hearts. There are no text. We really like you. We will proceed to keep you in our hearts and we will normally be the Bailey Seven.”
He thanked the decide for the sentence he handed down.
“We are really appreciative of this result and felt that it is the correct verdict, contemplating how heinous the crime is and Aiden’s habits all over it.”
He included Fucci’s loved ones need to not be mistreated because they are in ache, way too.
“Please extend them kindness. They ought to be supplied grace for the suffering they are heading by way of. They really should not be supplied additional hardship.”
Tristyn was observed useless in woods outside Jacksonville. According to a probable induce affidavit, Fucci told investigators that he bought into an argument with her and pushed her to the ground right after they left a mutual friend’s house before dawn May possibly 9.
When he was nevertheless regarded a witness, Fucci snapped a picture of himself in the again of a law enforcement auto flashing a peace signal and posted the picture to social media with the caption: “Hey guys has any person viewed Tristyn these days.”
He was arrested Might 10 and at first accused of second-degree murder.
Times afterwards, a grand jury indicted him on a first-diploma murder demand, and Fucci was to be tried out as an adult.
Point out Lawyer R.J. Larizza stated the range of stab wounds supported the demand and confirmed the assault was premeditated.
On Wednesday, Tristyn’s relatives supplied emotional accounts during a sentencing listening to.
Her sister Alexis dropped 114 teal-coloured stones into a glass jar to signify each individual time Fucci stabbed her youthful sister.
“Aiden Fucci did not just choose Tristyn’s lifestyle that working day, he took all the things from us,” she claimed through the listening to.
Alexis and yet another sister, Brittney Bailey Russell, reported they go through from write-up-traumatic strain condition considering the fact that the slaying. Russell was on her honeymoon when she figured out that her sister was missing.
“Agony isn’t agonizing plenty of. Shattered to the main does not crumble like how I sense. Infuriated does not even appear near to touching the total of rage I obtain myself trapped in,” she mentioned. “And let me explain to you, justice is just a term for convenience. It doesn’t convey her again,” she claimed.
Minyvonne Burke and Tim Stelloh contributed.
