14-year-old accused of stabbing 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey 114 times pleads not guilty to murder charge
The 14-year-old boy, who is accused of fatally stabbing 13-year-old cheerleader Tristyn Bailey and then dumping her body in the woods, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder.
Aiden Fucci, who is being tried as an adult in the grisly case, entered the plea on Thursday, according to pre-trial court documents obtained by First Coast News. He is being held without bond at a Duval County jail in Florida, where he is being kept separate from other inmates.
Tristyn, a seventh-grade student and cheerleader for the Infinity AllStars and Patriot Oaks Chargers, was last seen alive with friends in Jacksonville at the Durbin Amenity Center in Durbin Crossing on May 9 around midnight. She was reported missing hours later around 10 a.m. by family members, who grew worried when she failed to return home.
The teen had been wearing her cheerleading uniform before she disappeared, according to her loved ones. Her body was later found in a remote wooded area by a local resident around 6 p.m., just hours after authorities had put out the missing person alert.
State Attorney R.J. Larizza later told reporters that Bailey had been stabbed 114 times, with at least 49 stab wounds to her hands, arms and head that were “defensive in nature.”
Aiden was arrested the following day on a charge of second-degree murder, which was later upgraded due to the severity of the crime.
During an interview with investigators, the boy allegedly made several “admissions” of guilt, according to an arrest report cited by First Coast News. Authorities said they found his clothing stained with blood as well as a hunting knife — which is believed to be the murder weapon — dumped in a nearby pond.
The blade was also missing a tip, which authorities said was discovered on Bailey’s body.
If convicted, Fucci could face up to life in prison, but because of his age, he is not eligible for the death penalty.
