At the eleventh hour, simply earlier than jury choice was set to begin in the case of the State of Florida vs. Aiden Fucci, the 16-year-old pleaded responsible to murdering Patriot Oaks Academy Tristyn Bailey.
Tristyn was 13 when Fucci killed her in their Dubrin Crossing neighborhood in St. Johns County. She suffered 114 stab wounds in response to the medical expert, practically 50 of them deemed defensive.
The motive has by no means actually been clear, though Fucci’s associates mentioned he had an obsession with knives and eager to kill somebody. They had been visiting one other good friend’s dwelling and have been final seen strolling collectively after 1 a.m. on May 9, 2021.
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Fucci was 14 on the time.
So what occurs now? Will the Baileys get to handle Fucci? And how lengthy might he spend in jail?
How a lot time will Aiden Fucci get?
Fucci has pleaded responsible to fees of first-degree homicide. This means he faces a most of life in jail and a minimal of 40 years.
When deciding his sentence, the choose should contemplate 10 doubtlessly mitigating components, together with the character of the crime, the impact of the crime on the sufferer’s household and the neighborhood, the defendant’s upbringing, prior prison historical past and potential for rehabilitation.
Because Fucci was a juvenile when he dedicated the crime, his case will probably be up for evaluation in 25 years.
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At that time, a choose can grant him launch, hold his sentence the identical or add to his sentence.
Fucci will principally doubtless be housed other than adults — at the very least till he is 18 years previous. At that time, he could possibly be despatched to a youthful offenders’ facility.
He will probably be housed in the state of Florida.
When will Aiden Fucci be sentenced?
In juvenile instances, sentencing is lower than a jury, however the sole accountability of a choose. The date for Fucci’s sentencing has not been set right now.
The deadline to submit any extra discovery was Feb. 16. Fucci’s subsequent listening to is set for 9 a.m. Thursday in the St. Johns County Courthouse.
At that point, the protection should submit a pre-sentence investigation and a pre-disposition report.
The goal of those reviews is to synthesize an image of the defendant’s background and circumstances. This might embrace proof of Fucci’s disciplinary historical past in school, grades, well being historical past, household historical past, dwelling life and any household prison historical past.
The choose will set a sentencing date at this listening to as properly. The sentencing phase is anticipated to final two days.
What occurs at Aiden Fucci’s sentencing?
The sentencing listening to might contain professional witnesses on either side. This might embrace psychologists or any medical doctors who can provide an opinion on Fucci’s psychological well being — one thing that has been known as into query in the previous. (Fucci mentioned at his Feb. 6 plea that he’s on a number of drugs however has not been recognized with a psychological dysfunction.)
The trial might additionally embrace character statements from Fucci’s relations, academics or anybody who knew him earlier than the crime.
Fucci’s authorized crew might attempt to show that he feels regret for the crime.
Will Tristyn Bailey’s household get to handle Aiden Fucci?
Victim influence statements are often a part of the sentencing phase. The Bailey household could have the chance to handle Fucci at his sentencing.
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The household, who calls themselves “The Bailey 7,” launched a statementto the general public following Fucci’s change of plea. They mentioned in half: “This morning’s surprise change of plea brings our family significant relief… Just as Tristyn fought for her life, we equally fought for her and would not agree to any plea deal.” They additionally thanked the judicial system and legislation enforcement for their work on the case.
Who else may testify in Aiden Fucci’s sentencing phase?
First Coast News obtained a replica of the witness checklist submitted by Fucci’s protection crew. It says these individuals “may be called as witnesses for the defense in the pending sentencing hearing.” The checklist os 22 contains eight minors, 4 workers of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and workers of each Fruit Cove Middle School and Patriot Oaks Academy.