ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The mother of 14-year-old Aiden Fucci, who is accused of killing 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey, has entered a written plea of not guilty for an evidence tampering charge in connection to Tristyn’s killing.
Crystal Smith turned herself in at the St. Johns County Jail on Saturday, June 5 and was released shortly after on a $25,000 bond.
According to the arrest warrant, Smith washed the jeans Fucci was wearing when deputies say he killed 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey.
The warrant says Smith was present on May 9 while her 14-year-old son was being interviewed by investigators about Bailey’s death. After her son left with deputies, surveillance cameras inside the house captured Smith going into Fucci’s room, grabbing a pair of jeans, then scrubbing the jeans in a bathroom sink. Investigators say she returned the jeans to Fucci’s room a couple of hours later.
Smith was originally supposed to appear in court Monday, July 26, but entered the written plea instead. Her next court date is Wednesday, Sept. 1 -- the same day Fucci is set to appear in court.
JUST IN: The written plea of not-guilty entered today for Crystal Smith evidence tampering. Smith is mom of Aiden Fucci,14, charged with murder in stabbing death of Tristyn Bailey,13, Smith accused of trying to wash blood off son’s jeans. Next hearing Sep 1 @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/6q1Lij7yhI
— Ben Becker (@BenBeckerANjax) July 23, 2021
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
Tristyn, who attended Patriot Oaks Academy, was reported missing on May 9 -- Mother’s Day -- and found dead later that day in the Durbin Crossing neighborhood.
PHOTOS: Remembering Tristyn Bailey, missing teen found dead in St. Johns County
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office announced the next day, on May 10, that Fucci was being charged with second-degree murder in Tristyn’s death.
On Tuesday, May 11, investigators revealed that Tristyn had been stabbed to death.
RELATED: Tristyn Bailey case: Juvenile law expert questions murder suspect Aiden Fucci’s past
A memorial service for Tristyn was held Tuesday, May 18 at Celebration Church.
On Friday, May 21, a judge allowed Fucci’s original attorney to withdraw from the case and the teen will be represented by the public defender’s office.
On Thursday, May 27, the State Attorney’s Office made the decision to charge Fucci as an adult with first-degree premeditated murder, according to motions filed in court. At a news conference that day, State Attorney R.J. Larizza revealed that Tristyn had been stabbed 114 times.
Because Fucci is a a juvenile, a death sentence is not an option, but the charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
On Thursday, June 3, Fucci entered a plea of not guilty in Tristyn’s murder. Originally, he was set to be arraigned on June 10.
On July 14, the State Attorney’s Office released documents investigating what happened the night Tristyn was killed, including interviews with family and friends.
RELATED: Community’s mission is keeping Tristyn Bailey’s memory alive
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