Newsbreak in Florida: A Teen Pleads Guilty In Stabbing Death Of A 13-Year-Old Classmate

A Florida teen admitted to killing a 13-year-old classmate, who was found near a pond with multiple stab wounds. He pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial, two years after claiming demons took his soul in court.

Tristyn Bailey, a cheerleader at Patriot Oaks Academy, was captured on surveillance footage walking with Aiden Fucci, her killer who also attended the same school, on May 9, 2021 in St. Johns County. Subsequently, the camera recorded Fucci walking alone an hour later.

The victim was found with 114 stab wounds, a broken murder weapon in her skull, and the rest of the knife nearby. The suspect, Fucci, was arrested after offering inconsistent stories and later admitting to being with the victim and having an argument. Blood-stained clothes similar to what he was seen wearing were found during a search of his bedroom.

14-year-old Fucci, charged as an adult, pleads guilty in his murder trial on the day of jury selection. Evidence against him includes over 100 pages of emails from a school resource officer, one of which reveals a friend’s claim that the murder was premeditated and that Fucci talked about wanting to kill something in the woods, as reported by WJXT-TV on June 30, 2022.

Fucci reportedly muttered at a previous hearing, “Please don’t let the demons take my soul,” and asked “Why am I here?” expressing a desire to speak with his parents, according to WJXT-TV.

Crystal Smith, Fucci’s mother, was charged with evidence tampering after being caught on video washing blood from her son’s jeans. She posted bond and has a court date on April 4.

Fucci remains in custody with a court date on February 23.