ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Tristyn Bailey’s father Forrest spoke Friday morning after 16-year-old Aiden Fucci was sentenced to life in prison for killing his daughter in 2021.
He said so many helped in the fight for justice for Tristyn and that the sentencing is a result of all of those efforts.
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Investigators said Fucci stabbed Tristyn 114 times in a wooded area in the Durbin Crossing neighborhood on Mother’s Day 2021.
“This case is probably the most difficult and shocking case that this county, St. Johns County, has dealt with,” Judge R. Lee Smith said before sentencing Fucci.
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Forrest Bailey, who introduced himself after court as “Tristyn Tyne’s father,” read a statement on behalf of the entire family, saying that they agreed with the sentence. A life sentence was the maximum sentence Fucci faced. Because he is a juvenile, his case will be eligible for review in 25 years.
“We are very appreciative of this outcome and feel that it is the right verdict considering how heinous the crime is and Aiden’s behaviors around it,” Forrest Bailey said.
Forrest Bailey also had a had a message for his daughter.
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“Tristyn, I wanted to let you know we were so extremely proud of the person you were. The friend and teammate you were and what you left behind,” he said. “We love you, we will continue to hold you in our hearts. We will continue to be the Bailey 7.”
Forrest Bailey also addressed Aiden Fucci’s grandmother Deborah Spiwak, who gave a tearful apology to the Bailey family during Wednesday’s court proceedings.
“We feel for you as we can tell how much you are hurting,” he said.
RELATED: ‘Difficult and shocking case:’ Aiden Fucci sentenced to life in the murder of Tristyn Bailey
Spiwak said during court on Wednesday, “I just want to say to the family, I’m so sorry. I wish I could change what happened and we pray for you every day.”
Forrest Bailey also addressed Aiden Fucci’s own apology letter, saying it didn’t match up with his actions.
“From his behavior at court, at no point have his actions fell in line with the letter,” he said.
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State Attorney R.J. Larizza and St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick also spoke. Hardwick said Friday’s sentencing finished what they started with the family that refers to themselves as the “Bailey 7.” Here is Hardwick’s full statement:
“On Mother’s Day 2021, The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office got the privilege to meet the Bailey 7. If not for that horrific incident, we wouldn’t be here today. From the moment the call was received, a team came together to work this case comprised of members of our community, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the 7th Judicial Circuit’s State Attorney’s Office.
“The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office couldn’t be more grateful for the partnership we have formed with the Bailey Family. They have been patient, respectful, understanding, and truly saw this case all the way through to the end.
“The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office would like to recognize and commend Sergeant Kurt Hannon and Victim Advocate Ashley Mitchell for their diligence and dedication to this case and the Bailey Family. Their resolve for justice has never wavered. We would also like to recognize the efforts of Prosecutors Jennifer Dunton and Mark Johnson. They prepared for this case and were ready to go to trial and win.
“To our community, thank you for your steadfast support of our agency and the Bailey Family. From providing video surveillance to help establish a timeline, to supporting your fellow neighbor, or assisting with search efforts, you all contributed to this case. We thank you for your support and for not only allowing us to do our jobs, but also trusting us.
“The facts and evidence in this case were overwhelming and would have resulted in a guilty verdict regardless thanks to the great work of our Investigative Team in partnership with the prosecution. Today, we finished what we started together and justice was served with a life sentence being handed down to Aiden Fucci.
“To the Bailey Family, you are no longer the Bailey 7. You are the Bailey 927 together with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. This agency will forever be connected to the Bailey Family and this community will forever be #BaileyStrong.”
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Larizza said he was “grateful” for the sentence:
“The Bailey Family has suffered tremendously for the last 22 months while experiencing our criminal justice process – a process that is not victim and family-friendly. Our system focuses on the defendant – many times at the expense of the victim/victim’s family. I am grateful for the life sentence handed down today, and I truly believe that had Fucci avoided arrest and prosecution, he would have killed again. Please keep the Bailey Family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Watch Forrest Bailey’s full statement in the video below:
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