Aiden Fucci, 16, sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of cheerleader Tristyn Bailey

Judge Lee Smith announced his decision Friday morning, saying “there is only one reasonable sentence in this case” before giving his verdict. Because he’s a juvenile, Smith said Fucci’s sentence could be reviewed in 25 years.

Smith said he took into account Fucci’s age, mental health, personal life and letters from the boy’s family, as well as the fact that he was the “sole person involved” and “is 100 percent responsible for this murder.” He also said he believes there is a “poor prognosis for rehabilitation” in this case, before acknowledging how “compelling” the victims’ impact testimonies were in court earlier this week and how much Tristyn’s murder affects the whole community concerned.

He said the case was “probably the most difficult and shocking case” in the county in his 16 years as an attorney and 30 years in the community. Recalling how brutal the crime was and how “difficult” the autopsy photos were to see, Smith said Fucci’s behavior before the murder showed an “increased level of intent” and he seemed to understand the consequences of his actions. Smith also found it “disturbing” that there appeared to be no motive for the murder – and it was committed for “no other reason than to satisfy this defendant’s inner desire to feel what it is like to kill someone.”

Bailey’s family members were in the courtroom when the decision was announced; Her parents were seen crying after the sentencing (embedded above).

Before the announcement, Judge Smith reached out to Bailey’s family, warning them that the verdict itself will not “heal or end” their grief. “Whatever verdict this court hands down today, it cannot heal you. I can’t bring her back. I can’t complete this. You have much healing today,” he said, urging them to take the time they need to go through all the stages of grief and remind them that Tristyn’s “spirit lives on in each and every one of you.”

Bailey was reported missing on Mother’s Day 2021 before her body was found in the woods later that evening. The teenage victim was stabbed 114 times, with 49 defensive stab wounds to the hands, arms and head. The tip of a knife used to attack her broke off and was found “in the victim’s scalp by the coroner.”

Fucci, who was 14 at the time, was arrested the next day, initially on second-degree murder before the charges were later upgraded to first-degree.

The victim’s family members all appeared on the witness stand during this week’s sentencing hearing and gave testimony to the court on their impact, all urging the maximum possible sentence for Fucci.

“The only reasonable punishment in this case is life imprisonment,” Tristyn’s sister Alexis said. “Anything else would be an insult not only to our justice system and our community, but also to our family and Tristyn’s legacy.”

“Aiden Fucci your deplorable actions are unforgivable and I will pray every day that you will stay in prison for the rest of your life and never again harm anyone else in this world,” added Tristyn’s mother Stacy. “Your Honor, I beg you, please think of everything he has done to our daughter and to our family.

“I detest your very existence,” her father said, “and know that there is nothing in you that reflects the slightest measure of goodness or human decency.”

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The brutal murder and Fucci’s behavior first made headlines after the teen uploaded posts to Snapchat while in police custody (under).

One of his posts was a message that read, “Hey guys has anyone seen Tristyn lately,” before sharing videos of him and another boy fooling around in the cruiser.

According to the arrest report obtained by First Coast News, deputies uncovered security footage showing two teenagers walking together at around 1:45 am; Later footage showed a person walking alone just before 3:30 a.m., holding a pair of shoes.

Another video from Fucci’s home allegedly shows his mother Crystal Smith attempting to wash blood from his jeans just hours after Bailey’s death. She was later charged with falsifying evidence.

After receiving an arrest warrant, investigators said they found among the evidence an outfit matching that worn by the suspect in the video; They also said some of the confiscated items tested positive for the presence of blood. Investigators also found a notebook with “drawings of a violent nature,” one of which “represents a satanic element to enclose a pentagram.”

When the first murder charge was announced, prosecutor RK Larizza told reporters that Fucci told his friends “he was planning to kill someone” and “implied to witnesses that he was going to kill someone by throwing them into the woods.” picks her up and stabs her”.