ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The State Attorney’s Office wrapped up victim impact statements Wednesday morning, during the sentencing hearing for Aiden Fucci.
There were seven witnesses, including Tristyn Bailey’s siblings and parents. Alexis Bailey, Tristyn’s older sister, took the stand first. She brought with her an empty glass jar and dropped 114 teal stones inside.
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“This jar now holds 114 stones,” Alexis said. “114 stab wounds.” It’s meant to represent the dozens of stab wounds Tristyn Bailey endured on Mother’s Day in 2021.
Alexis Bailey was one of the last family members to see Tristyn before she was killed.
“What I do remember is her walking out that door. I have nightmares about that moment,” Alexis said. “Our family broke that day, and I don’t recognize any of us anymore.” Alexis continued to describe the last year and a half of pain her family has endured. She explained that she served as the liaison between the funeral home and her parents.
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After Alexis read her letter to the judge asking for a life sentence for Fucci, she added a white stone to the glass jar.
“This stone represents the trust I have in people, which died the day Aiden Fucci chose to kill my sister,” Alexis said.
Teegan Bailey spoke next. He recounted the days when he would drive his youngest sister home from cheer practice or “spoil her” with Starbucks drinks.
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“You took away my baby sister,” Teegan said, looking directly at Fucci. He then added his own stone to the jar. “I add this stone for the hope and belief I had for the good that people had that died when Aiden Fucci murdered my sister.”
Brittney Bailey, Tristyn’s oldest sister spoke, as well. She explained how their “Bailey Sunday Funday” is no longer, adding that every Sunday brings back the memory of the day Tristyn was killed. She also added a stone to the jar saying it represented her loss of faith in the school system to keep violent students away from the innocent.
We also heard testimony from Jean Sheffield (Tristyn’s grandmother), Gia Bower (Tristyn’s best friend), and Stacey and Forest Bailey (Tristyn’s parents). Each one added a stone for something they lost, after Tristyn’s death.
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The family is asking the judge for the maximum penalty of life in prison without parole.
“Aiden Fucci has destroyed so many lives with his vicious choice to take my child’s life,” Stacey Bailey said. “He is beyond saving.”
“I want to be clear that your insincere apology is not accepted,” Forest Bailey said, referencing Fucci’s short statement back in February when he pleaded guilty to Tristyn’s murder. “He essentially killed Tristyn seven times.”
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