Teen killer Aiden Fucci sentenced to life in prison for stabbing 13-year-old cheerleader 114 times
The Florida teenager who stabbed a 13-year-old cheerleader when he was 14 has been sentenced to life in prison.
Aiden Fucci fatally stabbed cheerleader Tristyn Bailey 114 times in 2021. He was sentenced Friday, March 24, to life in prison, authorities said.
Aiden Fucci, now 16, was sentenced by Judge R. Lee Smith, said Haley Harrison of the Florida State Attorney’s Office 7th Judicial Circuit.
Harrison said Fucci’s sentence could be reviewed by a judge in 25 years.
Fucci pleaded guilty in February to first degree murder. He was 14 when he was arrested in the May 9, 2021 murder.
Bailey was found dead in the woods outside of Jacksonville. According to a probable cause affidavit, Fucci told investigators he argued with Bailey and pushed her to the ground after leaving a mutual friend’s house before dawn on May 9.
While still being considered a witness, Fucci took a photo of himself in the back of a police vehicle flashing a peace sign and posted the image on social media with the caption: “Hey guys, has anyone seen Tristyn lately.”
He was arrested on May 10 and initially charged with second degree murder.
A few days later, a grand jury indicted him for first degree murder and Fucci was to be tried as an adult.
State’s Attorney RJ Larizza said the number of stab wounds supported the charge and showed the attack was premeditated.
Tristyn’s father, Forest, spoke Friday, March 24, on behalf of his family after the verdict.
He sent a message to his late daughter.
“Tristyn, I wanted to let you know that we are extremely proud of the person you were here,” he said. “We saw that when you came out into the world you did your best. You should be proud of the friend you were, the teammate you were, and what you left behind and people who knew you that we trust will move forward and continue to make the world a better place.”
His voice cracked as he continued to speak.
“As for what you mean to our family, it is in our hearts. There are no words. We love you. We will continue to hold you in our hearts and we will always be the Bailey Seven.”
He thanked the judge for his sentence.
“We very much appreciate this result and felt it was the right verdict given the heinous crime and Aiden’s behavior regarding it.”
He added that Fucci’s family should not be mistreated because they are also suffering.
“Please show them kindness. They should receive grace for the pain they are going through. They should not suffer further hardship.”
On Wednesday, March 22, Bailey’s family provided moving accounts during a sentencing hearing.
Alexis Bailey, Tristyn’s sister, dropped 114 turquoise stones into a glass jar to represent each time Fucci stabbed her younger sister.
“Aiden Fucci not only took Tristyn’s life that day, he took everything from us,” she said during the hearing.
Alexis and another sister, Brittney Bailey Russell, said they have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder since the murder. Russell was on her honeymoon when she learned her sister was missing.
“The agony is not painful enough. Broken to the core doesn’t fall apart the way I feel. Furious doesn’t even come close to touching the amount of rage I get trapped in,” Russell said. “And let me tell you, justice is just a word for comfort. It doesn’t bring her back.
