Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

A Florida teenager who brutally stabbed a 13-year-old cheerleader to death was sentenced to life in prison Friday morning, according to online reports.

Aiden Fucci was sentenced to life in prison on Friday for the murder of Tristyn Bailey in May 2021. He was 14 when he stabbed his classmate 114 times.

The sentence comes after he pleaded guilty to murder prior to jury selection in February.

“She suffered a painful, horrifying death from someone she trusted,” Judge Smith said before he delivered Fucci’s sentence. The judge was visibly emotional.

Fucci, now 16, faced a minimum of 40 years in prison for stabbing Tristyn in their St. Johns County neighborhood on Mother’s Day. Because he’s a juvenile, his sentence will be up for review after 25 years.

Tristyn’s family pleaded in their victim impact statements for Fucci to receive the maximum sentence. They do not believe he is remorseful and say the apology he gave when he pleaded guilty in February was a “lie.”

Fucci’s family asked for mercy during the sentencing hearing. His mother wrote in a letter to the judge that he is “not beyond saving” and Fucci’s grandmother testified she believed he could be rehabilitated with counseling and therapy.

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By Buffy Gunner

Independent Journalist + Business Owner | Lover of all things true crime. Mantra: Only YOU can be YOU. | Los Angeles Born | buffygunner@illicitdeeds.com

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