WHAT WAS THE MURDER WEAPON?

Police said they discovered what they believe to be the murder weapon, a folding buck knife, from a pond near to where Tristyn’s body was found on May 9.

The tip of the knife was missing, which medical examiners later located lodged in Tristyn’s scalp.

WHEN WILL FUCCI BE SENTENCED?

Aiden Fucci has been charged as the only suspect in the murder of his classmate.

However, it is not yet known when he will face a trial and sentencing.

The 14-year-old’s upgraded charge of first degree murder was announced on May 27, 2021, after a grand jury met for a secret meeting earlier in the day.

The new first-degree murder charges will automatically move the case to an adult court.

Fucci has already faced a preliminary hearing, but has not yet entered a plea.

He had previously been charged as a juvenile with second-degree murder in Trystin’s death.

SUSPECTED MURDER WEAPON COULD HAVE ‘MULTIPLE USES’

Investigators recovered what they believed to be the murder weapon, a folding buck knife, in a pond near to Tristyn’s body.

Larizza said that the blade was “missing a tip”, which medical examiners found lodged in Tristyn’s scalp.

He added that the knife found “could have multiple uses” including hunting.

TRISTYN ‘FOUGHT FOR HER LIFE’

According to Larizza’s announcement, Tristyn was stabbed 114 times, with 49 of those wounds sustained to her hands and arms.

Larizza described those wounds as “defensive”, and said that the 13-year-old suffered them as she “fought for her life.”

Investigators recovered what they believed to be the murder weapon, a folding buck knife, in a pond near to Tristyn’s body.

Larizza said that the blade was “missing a tip”, which medical examiners found lodged in Tristyn’s scalp.

FUCCI SENT OUT A SNAPCHAT FOLLOWING HIS ARREST

As he was taken away in the back of squad car, he allegedly shared an incriminating image of himself on Snapchat.

The photo shows a male in the back of the police vehicle, holding up a peace sign alongside the caption: “Hey guys has inybody (sic) seen Tristyn lately”.

The Sun confirmed that it has been probed by police as part of their investigation.

Prior to Fucci’s first court appearance, Sheriff Robert Hardwick told WOKV that the image shows he is “proud of what he did.”

WHY DID FUCCI ALLEGEDLY KILL TRISTYN?

On May 27, Florida attorney R.J. Larizza announced that prosecutors would be charging Fucci as an adult on first degree murder.

He described how Fucci had told friends that he was going to kill someone within the next 30 days, leading to accusations that the act was premeditated.

According to Larizza, the 14-year-old specifically detailed that he would “take someone into the woods and stab them.”

On the night of Tristyn’s death, the pair were believed to have been hanging out with a few mutual friends, before they were eventually left alone together.

However, prosecutors currently say there is no evidence to suggest that Fucci specifically targeted Tristyn beforehand.

Larizza said: “This could just be a case of wrong place, wrong time.”

FUCCI’S ORIGINAL ATTORNEY WITHDREW FROM THE CASE

Last week, a judge allowed Fucci’s original attorney to withdraw from the case.

The move came after his father, Jason Fucci, a convicted child abuser, was granted indigency status by a judge, having initially been rejected.

Jacksonville attorney Anwar Snober withdrew as Fucci’s counsel. The teen will now be represented by the public defender’s office.

He is currently being held state-run juvenile detention facility in Volusia County without bond.

TRISTYN’S FAMILY RELEASED A STATEMENT AFTER THE COURT HEARING

Tristyn Bailey’s family released a statement shortly after Larizza’s press conference, saying they “appreciate” the new charges against Fucci.

“We [also] greatly appreciate the tremendous community outpouring from all parts of the world. Particularly for those in St. Johns that have helped from the Mother’s Day search, the vigils, remembrances and memorials.

“With the press conference sharing details of this heinous crime, the caring and love shown from the people and businesses to raise up the memory of Tristyn and the resolve of our community serve as a beacon of light in the darkness.”

The family continued: “We do ask for your continued respect for our privacy as well as of Tristyn’s teammates and her school. As we move forward, we will seek to keep Tristyn’s memory alive and the spirit of the community.”

PROSECUTORS WILL SEEK LIFE SENTENCE WITHOUT PAROLE

Had prosecutors declined, he wouldn’t have legally been allowed to be held in jail past the age of 21.

Now Larizza says prosecutors will seek a life sentence without parole but added that Aiden would likely be able to appeal it due to a state-wide effort to reduce sentences for juveniles.

Should he be convicted and sentenced to life, Larizza said Fucci’s case would be reviewed after 25 years where a judge could either decide to reduce his sentence or release him.

PROSECUTORS WILL SEEK LIFE SENTENCE WITHOUT PAROLE

Had prosecutors declined, he wouldn’t have legally been allowed to be held in jail past the age of 21.

Now Larizza says prosecutors will seek a life sentence without parole but added that Aiden would likely be able to appeal it due to a state-wide effort to reduce sentences for juveniles.

Should he be convicted and sentenced to life, Larizza said Fucci’s case would be reviewed after 25 years where a judge could either decide to reduce his sentence or release him.

IF TRIED AS A JUVENILE, FUCCI COULD NOT BE HELD IN JAIL PAST 21

Fucci, 14, had previously been charged as a juvenile with second-degree murder in Trystin’s death.

He was arrested on May 10 just hours after her body was found by a pond in a wooded area.

More than 700,000 people had signed an online petition urging prosecutors to try Fucci as an adult for the brutal attack and upgrade his charges to murder in the first degree.

Prosecutors had until May 31st – or 21 days after the date of his arrest – to decide whether to try Fucci as an adult.

Had prosecutors declined, he wouldn’t have legally been allowed to be held in jail past the age of 21.

FUCCI PREVIOUSLY CHARGED AS A JUVENILE

Fucci, 14, had previously been charged as a juvenile with second-degree murder in Trystin’s death.

He was arrested on May 10 just hours after her body was found by a pond in a wooded area.

More than 700,000 people had signed an online petition urging prosecutors to try Fucci as an adult for the brutal attack and upgrade his charges to murder in the first degree.

Prosecutors had until May 31st – or 21 days after the date of his arrest – to decide whether to try Fucci as an adult.

WHERE WAS FUCCI’S DNA FOUND?

Larizza refused to disclose whether the killing was sexually motivated, or whether Tristyn had been sexually assaulted during the murder.

He did however disclose that investigators found Fucci’s DNA on Tristyn’s body.

They also found Tristyn’s DNA on shoes and a t-shirt found in Fucci’s bedroom, Larizza said.

FUCCI’S CONFESSIONS TO FRIENDS ‘WERE NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY’

Larizza alleged that Fucci made comments to “several people” that he “intended to kill someone.”

“He didn’t say who that was but he indicated that he was going to kill someone by taking them into the woods and stabbing them which are certainly the facts of this case,” Larizza continued.

But the prosecutor voiced frustration that Fucci’s alleged plans to commit homicide were “not taken seriously” when he confessed them to “several” of his peers.

“Could this have been prevented? We can’t be sure,” he said, adding that the murder should serve as a cautionary tale to parents that they “need to know what your kids are doing and saying.”

NO EVIDENCE THAT FUCCI SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TRISTYN

Larizza alleged that Fucci made comments to “several people” that he “intended to kill someone.”

“He didn’t say who that was but he indicated that he was going to kill someone by taking them into the woods and stabbing them which are certainly the facts of this case,” Larizza continued.

On the night of Tristyn’s death, Larizza says the pair had been hanging out with a few friends before they were eventually left alone together.

Currently, prosecutors say that have no evidence suggest that Fucci specifically targeted Tristyn.

“This could just be a case of wrong place, wrong time,” Larizza said.

‘PREMEDITATION CAN BE INFERRED’

Explaining the premeditated murder charge, Larizza said: “Premeditation can be inferred from just the sheer number of stab wounds that Tristyn Bailey had to suffer. 

“[But] It’s not just the fact she was stabbed 114 times – it’s also information that we were able to glean from witnesses.”

Larizza alleged that Fucci made comments to “several people” that he “intended to kill someone.”

“He didn’t say who that was but he indicated that he was going to kill someone by taking them into the woods and stabbing them which are certainly the facts of this case,” Larizza continued.

TIP OF MURDER WEAPON MISSING

Larizza revealed for the first time that Tristyn had been stabbed 114 times – with 49 of those wounds sustained to her hands and arms as she “fought for her life.”

Police said they discovered what they believe to be the murder weapon, a folding buck knife, from a pond near to where Tristyn’s body was found on May 9.

The tip of the knife was missing, which medical examiners later located lodged in Tristyn’s scalp.

CHARGING FUCCI AS AN ADULT GAVE STATE ATTORNEY ‘NO PLEASURE’

In a press conference announcing the upgraded charges on Thursday, Florida State Attorney RJ Larizza also revealed new details in the case.

Larizza said it gave him “no pleasure” to pursue first-degree murder charges against Fucci, but said the “horrific” facts in the case “made it an easy decision to make.”

“It’s not only appropriate, but it’s the only choice,” he said.

FUCCI’S APPEARANCE IN COURT

Fucci had previously been charged as a juvenile on one count of second-degree murder.

He appeared in court on Friday to be arraigned on the upgraded charges.

The teenager was wearing a black shirt and a white face mask that he had pulled down onto his chin. He was standing up in a white room for his appearance. He initially played with his hair to push it off of his face.

Fucci spoke to confirm who he was when asked by Judge Maltz. He then raised his right hand and replied “yes sir” when he was sworn in.

The judge decided that there is probable cause to indict Fucci on the charge, but confirmed that due to his age he will not face the death penalty.

The first appearance hearing lasted for less than 10 minutes and concluded with the judge setting Fucci’s arraignment for the “next week or two.”

NEW MUGSHOT RELEASED OF FUCCI

The first appearance hearing lasted for less than 10 minutes and concluded with the judge setting Fucci’s arraignment for the “next week or two.”

At around the same time as the hearing, law enforcement released a new mug shot of Fucci.

In the image, the teen is seen staring vacantly back at the camera. His hair is pushed off of his blemished face back into a quiff, exposing the shaved sides of his head.

In his first mugshot, captured after his arrest on May 10, the teen was seen with his long brown locks hanging down over the sides of his face – again showing no discernible sign of emotion.

WHAT HAS A JUDGE STATED?

Fucci appeared in court before Judge Richard Orfinger, 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.

AIDEN’S FATHER HAS CHILD ABUSE CHARGE

Fucci’s father Jason, 36, has an extensive rap sheet, including a stint in jail after being charged with lewd or lascivious battery and child abuse in 2003.

Filings obtained from Duval County Court for the first count show Fucci Sr., who was 18 at the time, was guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old female at his home.

The second count showed he “did knowingly or wilfully abuse a child by intentionally committing an act that could reasonably be expected to result in physical or mental injury to a person under the age of 18 years.”

AIDEN FUCCI KEPT TRISTYN’S SHOES

An arrest report, obtained by First Coast News, alleged that security footage showed two teenagers walking at 1.45am. However, less than two hours later, at 3.27am, only one person was seen walking – holding a pair of shoes.

The report said that Fucci’s mother mentioned something about him carrying his shoes, however, he told her it was because his feet hurt.

While executing a search warrant at Fucci’s home, the report said that officers found items that tested positive for the presence of blood.

WHERE DID AIDEN AND TRISTYN GO TO SCHOOL?

Aiden Fucci and Tristyn Bailey both attended Patriot Oaks Academy in St Johns County.

Patriot Oaks Academy runs from kindergarten to eighth grade and serves about 1,500 students.

According to its website, the school contains a community that “fosters character development, independence and a lifelong love of learning.”

The school was one of two new ones to open in 2014 in St John’s County. Valley Ridge Academy also launched the same year.

WHERE DID AIDEN AND TRISTYN GO TO SCHOOL?

Aiden Fucci and Tristyn Bailey both attended Patriot Oaks Academy in St Johns County.

Patriot Oaks Academy runs from kindergarten to eighth grade and serves about 1,500 students.

According to its website, the school contains a community that “fosters character development, independence and a lifelong love of learning.”

The school was one of two new ones to open in 2014 in St John’s County. Valley Ridge Academy also launched the same year.