A 14-year-old that allegedly stabbed his classmate to death could be charged as an adult, according to reports.
Aiden Fucci, was charged on Monday with second-degree murder, after the body of missing teen Tristyn Bailey, 13, was discovered a day prior.
Earlier this week cops said that the teen cheerleader was stabbed a “horrific” number of times in a “cold-blooded murder.”
The suspect was a fellow student at Tristyn’s school, but few details have yet been released about whether they knew each other.
Now it has been revealed that it’s unlikely that Fucci could be charged as a adult in order to ensure that he gets the toughest sentence.
Speaking to the Wokv, law and safety expert, Dale Carson, said that it’s unlikely that the 14-year-old will be tried as juvenile and instead with be subject of a ‘direct file.’
He said: “It (a direct file) means that the State Attorney’s Office is charging him as an adult.”
“One of the reasons it’s going to happen is because in a murder charge, the defendant has to be granted certain protections that are not available in juvenile court,”
Carson added that the decision to try Fucci as an adult could happen as soon as Wednesday.
If made, he could face life in jail if he is found guilty of the second-degree murder charges.
Fucci appeared in court before Judge Richard Orfinger on Tuesday morning, wearing a dark-colored sweater, at a detention center in Volusia County.
“I do find that there is probable cause to believe the offense occurred and at this time I am going to order that Mr Fucci be detained by the department of juvenile justice in secure detention for 21 days or until further order of the court,” the judge determined.
The teenager appeared to hold back tears as his detention terms were read out, before rolling his eyes when his parents were told they will have to pay $5 per day while he remains in the center.
Fucci allegedly posted a Snapchat photograph of himself in the back of a squad car holding up a peace sign asking where Tristyn was, which has left family and friends disgusted.
The Sun can confirm it is now being probed by police as part of their investigation.
Before Tuesday’s court appearance, Sheriff Robert Hardwick told WOKV that the image shows he is “proud of what he did.”
“I know it looks egregious with him making those statements in that car, but that is now evidence that we gather and use against him.
“So that just makes our case a better case to present to the State Attorney’s office and to present to a jury down the road saying this was his mindset.”
Following the teen’s death, Tristyn’s cousin, Connie Stull, exclusively told The Sun that she hopes Aiden confesses.
Asked if she hopes he comes clean, she replied: “Yes I do. I have cried my eyes out.
“I looked him [Fucci] up on Facebook, but there are too many. I’m happy they made an arrest and hope they try him as an adult.
“Tristyn was a sweetheart, she loved cheerleading, I’m an emotional wreck, my husband and I didn’t sleep well last night.”
Tanya White, who taught Tristyn cheerleading, described the tragedy as “completely horrendous” and “mind-blowing.”
She said that she’s glad Fucci has been arrested and the case is not being “dragged out” for the parents’ sake.
Tanya branded Tristyn an “incredible leader, friend and role model” for fellow athletes and said she “lit up the room”.
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The St Johns County Sheriff’s Office said that they “do not believe there is a threat at this time” asking the community to “stand down” from the search.
No information on where the body was found was revealed as cops explained they are in the early stage of a “very, very complex” investigation.
Florida cheerleader Tristyn Bailey, 13, stabbed a ‘horrific’ number of times in ‘cold-blooded murder’ sheriff says
This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
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