Aiden Fucci was only 14 when he stabbed and killed 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey in 2021 St. Johns County. Judge R. Lee Smith had sentenced Fucci to 40 years to life in prison.

Fucci and Tristyn went to the same school but were not close friends. When Tristyn’s body was recovered, an autopsy revealed that she had been stabbed 114 times. CCTV footage from the day showed that Fucci and Tristyn had left a friend’s house together. After this, they were seen walking in a direction together. Around 45 minutes later, the footage again showed Fucci returning from the same direction without Tristyn.

Also Read| Why was Aiden Fucci charged as an adult? 

Judge Smith had called the murder gruesome and considered Fucci extremely cruel. Fucci’s choice to kill Bailey was random. Aiden Fucci used to fantasise about committing murders and stabbing people. He had taken Bailey’s phone number from a friend the night he killed her. 

Judge R. Lee Smith said the court had seen numerous autopsy photos. However, these were extremely disturbing to look at. He also said that the murder was premeditated.

While Fucci’s grandmother pleaded with the judge to show some mercy to her grandson, Judge Smith did not let Fucci go easy. He expressed his sorry towards the Bailey family and served the deserved justice. 

Also Read| Tristyn Bailey’s family’s statement before Aiden Fucci’s sentencing hearing

Judge Smith was applauded for his sentencing by showing solidarity with Tristyn’s family. While under tremendous pressure, he was compassionate enough to sentence Fucci to life instead of the death penalty. The court had declared that Fucci would not be given the death sentence because he was a minor. 

Judge R. Smith was selected as the adjudicator in Florida’s Seventh Circuit Court on 22nd April 2016. He was also Senator Ander Crenshaw’s official guidance.