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Aiden Fucci, the teenager who murdered 13-year-old cheerleader Tristyn Bailey in 2021, was sentenced to life in prison on Friday, March 24, 2023.
The sentencing came a year after the now 16-year-old Aiden Fucci pleaded guilty to murdering Bailey, who was stabbed 114 times with 49 defensive stab wounds to the hands, arms and head in February 2021.
Fucci, who was initially charged with second-degree murder, was later hit with a first-degree murder charge after authorities discovered that the killing was premeditated. Authorities said that before killing the victim in a remote area, the teen had bragged about committing the crime to several of his friends.
During the hearing, Circuit Judge R. Lee Smith declared the maximum punishment but said that Fucci was eligible for parole in 25 years, as he was 14 years old when he committed the crime.
The judge added that while sentencing the young suspect to life in prison, he did factor in Fucci’s age, noting that at 14, the brain was not completely developed to make sound decisions, but contended that the teen was not coerced into killing the victim in a horrifying manner.
Aiden Fucci apologizes to victim's family before being sentenced to life in prison
After hearing victim impact statements where the family asked the court for a maximum sentence, Aiden Fucci was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 25 years.
As per WLTV, before the sentencing, Fucci reportedly wrote a letter to the victim’s family pleading for forgiveness for taking the life of the innocent victim, who was killed without provocation. He wrote:
“I’m sorry that you didn’t get to know her that long. You did not have any long relationships with and for that I’m sorry. For the Community, I'm sorry I brought all this pain every day and I'm sorry and I know my [apology] will not fix anything or bring her back but I hope it helps in some way.”
However, the victim’s family was unmoved by the suspect's contrition and told the judge that the only justifiable punishment was for the suspect to spend the rest of his life in prison. During the hearing, in an emotional statement, Tristyn's sister Alexis said:
"The only justifiable sentence, in this case, is a full life sentence. Anything short of that would be an insult not only to our justice system and community but to our family and Tristyn's legacy."
As per WOKV, before issuing the sentence, the Judge told the victim’s family that the suspect’s suffering will not bring them the closure they sought and urged them to instead move on with their lives to honor the victim, who would want them to resume living. He said:
“I cannot bring her back. I cannot provide a closure to this.”
He added:
“Allow laughter to return to your home because in depriving yourselves of that, it would continue to victimize Tristyn because it’s not what she would want. She would want that happiness and that laughter to return.”
After announcing the sentence, the judge told Aiden Fucci that he would have one month to appeal his sentence if he chose to do so.
