Aiden Fucci, the Florida teenager who stabbed 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey more than 100 times in 2021 has pleaded guilty to first degree murder, according to the 7th Judicial Circuit court clerk.
According to reports, Fucci entered a guilty plea on Monday, February 6, during a hearing meant to begin the jury selection process for his trial.
A lawyer representing 16-year-old Fucci announced to Judge R. Lee Smith that they were altering their plea to guilty shortly after entering the courtroom.
As he addressed the court, Fucci stated, “I’m sorry for the Bailey family and my family”.
The prosecutor claims that a witness testified that Fucci, who was 14 at the time, made statements in 2021 about wanting to kill someone by leading them into the woods and stabbing them.
Later that day, Bailey’s body was discovered in St. Johns County, where she had been reported missing on May 9. Prosecutors at the time stated that she had 114 stab wounds, including 49 defense wounds to her head, hands, and arms.
St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick issued a statement after the guilty plea praising the diligent work of his team and investigators.
“Aiden Fucci’s decision to enter a guilty plea today is nothing more than a testament to the hard work and dedication of the exceptional men and women of the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office,” the statement read.
“This was an all-out agency effort.”
“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,” Hardwick said, thanking the Bailey family.
Author-Roberta Appiah
