money Guilty: Aiden Fucci changes plea in 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey's stabbing death
Saying he is "sorry to the Bailey family and to my family," Aiden Fucci changed his plea Monday to guilty in the first-degree murder of 13-year-old classmate Tristyn Bailey in 2021.
He faces a 40-year minimum sentence and up to life. No agreement on the terms has been made, and he will be back in St. Johns County Circuit Court on Feb. 23 for a status hearing.
The case received national attention after evidence showed Bailey suffered 114 stab wounds on May 9, 2021. Fucci was 14 at the time and charged as an adult.
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Tristyn Bailey had been briefly reported missing last seen walking with Fucci in their Durbin Creek neighborhood shortly after 1 a.m. that morning, the Sheriff's Office said. The Patriot Oaks Academy cheerleader's body was discovered later that day in a wooded area by a neighbor.
The defense had filed for a change of venue due to the publicity in St. Johns County. However, that was denied, and Judge R. Lee Smith also granted the prosecution's motion for a six-person jury instead of the 12 required for capital cases. Six people make up the jury for other criminal cases. The state had argued that due to Fucci being 14 at the time, it is not a capital case.
Jury selection was scheduled to begin Monday with the trial expected to last most of the week. Bailey's family also was in the courtroom for the plea, some wearing white tops with "That's My Squad" in her favorite color aqua and "Tristyn Bailey Strong" overlapping in cursive. Her mother, Stacy Bailey, could be seen hugging one of the prosecutors afterward.
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In Fucci's arrest report, he confirmed being with his Patriot Oaks Academy classmate at a mutual friend’s house and leaving with her about 1:10 a.m. on May 9, 2021. He said they got into an argument and he pushed her to the ground, striking her head. He said he walked around awhile until getting to his Castledale Court home about 3:30 a.m.
Security video showed the two walking from the Durbin Amenity Center on North Durbin Parkway about 1:15 a.m. At 1:45 a.m. they also were seen walking on Saddlestone Drive, but only him again at 3:30 a.m. on the same street and heading the opposite direction.
Evidence against Aiden Fucci: Knife at crime scene linked to blade fragment in Tristyn Bailey killing, report shows
Bailey's body was found toward the end of a retention pond not far from Saddlestone or Fucci’s home. The medical examiner said Bailey had 114 stab wounds, 49 that were deemed defensive. Fucci's buck knife was found in a nearby pond and the broken-off tip in Bailey's skull, the Sheriff's Office said.
It's still unclear what led up to the murder, but Fucci told friends he was going to kill someone by taking them into the woods and stabbing them.
In recently released interviews to First Coast News, his girlfriend said he often carried a knife with him and talked about killing people and even her. He would come up from behind her and pretend to slit her throat. But she and other friends said they never took it seriously. She also said he claimed to hear voices in his head when he was angry. He did tell the court he was on anti-depressants.
Tristyn Bailey's family statement
Bailey's family issued a statement afterward through 7th Judicial Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza's office.
"Foremost, we would like to give thanks to God," the family said. "Since this nightmare began, we have had the love and support of so many. We know so many have lifted Tristyn, our family, and her friends up in prayer. The members of our community have been simply exceptional in the support they have given us.
"This morning’s surprise change of plea brings our family significant relief," the family continued. "With the detailed and exemplary investigative work of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, along with the trial preparation by the 7th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, we are confident that the jury would have returned a guilty verdict. Just as Tristyn fought for her life, we equally fought for her and would not agree to any plea deal. We were fully aligned with the prosecutor in rejecting the proposed plea deals mentioned by the public defender during the plea hearing."
They went on to express their gratitude to the attorneys, investigators and all of the agencies that contributed throughout the ordeal.
"Of special note, we extend our thanks to the families of these agencies as we know they have made manysacrifices as well," the statement read. "For the incredible community support we have received, we remain committed to reflecting on the kind and good deeds in honor of Tristyn’s spirit. With the backing of our community, neighborhood, counselors, friends, and family, we have been able to endure the nearly two years since Tristyn was taken from us while managing to share her cheer: 'We got this!'"
What's next for Aiden Fucci
The family noted it's not over yet, as they still must endure the sentencing phase.
To that effect, Larizza said, “We still have work to do and we will be diligently preparing for the sentencing hearing to hold the defendant accountable for his actions. We will be seeking the maximum sentence available under law — a life sentence.”
Although Fucci was charged as an adult with first-degree murder, due to being a juvenile he is not eligible for the death penalty. Adults convicted of first-degree murder in Florida are given mandatory life terms unless it is a death penalty case and the jury recommends execution. In Fucci's case, the minimum under the law is 40 years and a maximum of life.
The judge will have to weigh mitigating factors such as the circumstances of the crime, his mental capacity, potential for rehabilitation, restitution and any plea negotiations. Either way, after serving 25 years of a life term, the judge can review the possibility of a lighter sentence, according to Florida law.
St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick also issued a statement after the developments.
"The detectives have not stopped working this case since the initial call we received," Hardwick said afterward. "The State Attorney’s Office immediately went to work upon Fucci’s arrest and has put forth countless hours to prepare for today. SJSO has worked hand-in-hand with the State Attorney’s Office and we couldn’t be more appreciative of the partnership. ... Lastly, the cooperation between our agency and the Bailey family has been unparalleled. Their strength and grace throughout this case has been incredible. This agency will forever be connected to the Bailey Family and this community will forever be #BaileyStrong.”
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Aiden Fucci pleads guilty in death of Tristyn Bailey in St. Johns
