Closing Arguments in Aiden Fucci’s Trial; Judge Deciding Whether He Gets Life

st.Johns County, Florida – After two days and hours of heartbreaking testimony in court, attorneys on Wednesday made closing statements at Aiden Hutch’s sentencing hearing.

At 4:50 p.m. Wednesday, Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Dunton reiterated the state’s insistence that Futch should remain in prison for the rest of his life.

Danton spoke directly with Judge R. Lee Smith and broke down her closing, starting with the nature and circumstances of the crime. Danton explained that the image of Tristin Bailey’s body seen by Judge Smith would be a visual he won’t soon forget.

without looking at the photo The testimony described 49 of the 114 stabbings as being defensive. Bailey was conscious and alive during this attack.

Related: ‘He’s hopeless’: Tristin Bailey’s family seeks maximum sentence for murderer at emotional hearing

Danton also mentioned testimony of the force it must have taken to penetrate her head and skull, causing massive wounds.

Danton then said of the circumstances leading up to the crime, “The defendant uttered the words that he wanted to kill someone.”

“He said it would be at night, he would drag someone into the woods and stab him, and that it would happen within a month. ” said Danton.

She then referred to the testimony of Dr. Gregory Pritchard.

“He said the act was very unique, very violent, and anyone could commit it, let alone a boy,” Danton said.

Danton then gave statistics showing how rare and unique juvenile murders are. And the deviant, the unruly boy, deserves the worst punishment.

Fucci is one of them, she said.

After that, Danton A victim of the Bailey family. She explained how families and communities have suffered immeasurable losses — this is a unique case that has affected communities in unique ways.

vigil, mourning, Over 100 letters written to judges.

Danton then referred to Fuch’s testimony about disciplinary problems at school and comparisons to similar children his age. He said he understood the risks and consequences.

Futch’s parents and grandmother were also mentioned in Danton’s closing arguments. She said there were no reports of abuse or neglect in the Futch household.

Danton emphasized Futch’s impulsive behavior. She then spoke directly with the judge.

“For all the evidence we have presented in this case, for who Aiden Futch is, for all the factors that point to the uniqueness of this crime, all of this suggests that this particular boy deserves the most severe punishment possible. It shows that he should be sentenced to life in prison and he is entitled to 25 years of trial,” Danton said.

As defense attorney Rosemary Peoples took the stage at the closing ceremony, she said: Survivor. “

“But you can’t go back in time,” Peoples added. “Actions cannot be undone. The only thing we can do today is answer the questions in the sentence.”

Peoples showed court photos of a happy and very young Aiden Fucci.

She then talked about what Futch didn’t do after the crime. He did not bury his body or try to hide it.

During Peoples’ closing argument, she kept showing various photos of Fucci smiling when she was a little girl.

Peoples talked about Fucci’s maturity and how his brain continues to form and grow. She told the judge how he apologized on Feb. 6, the first time he was allowed to speak in public court. It reminded me that I didn’t.

“We hear that he was emotionally neglected, that his father was physically abusive, and that there was constant movement. I was at his house,” Peoples said.

Futch’s family history of mental illness was also included in the closing argument. Peoples also spoke about Fucci’s ADHD diagnosis and not getting the treatment he needed.

“The 40-year sentence does not belittle what happened on Mother’s Day 2021. It’s still a punishment,” Peoples said.

The defense sought to sentence Fucci to 40 years in prison with a 25-year retrial, rather than life imprisonment with a 25-year retrial.