Published: February 23, 2023
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Aiden Fucci was back in a St. Johns County courtroom Thursday morning to begin the next phase in his murder case.
Fucci’s lawyer affirmed Thursday for the judge that she does not anticipate calling any mental health experts. Smith told Fucci he needs to help his lawyer prepare for the hearing and suggested a mental health expert might be beneficial to his case.
This is what he told Fucci directly.
Smith: I want to make sure that you understand that you need to be talking to your attorney about that, do you understand sir?
Fucci: Yes, your Honor.
Smith: One of the things that, as I mentioned is the defendant’s, age, maturity, intellectual capacity, and mental and emotional health at the time of the offense. That may be something you and your attorneys decide, if there are some experts or mental health experts whom you’ve been talking to, who at this time, are not listed on your witness list, do you understand that?
Fucci conferred with his attorney and said he would work with her on his defense.
The state has a psychologist on its witness list for the sentencing hearing.
Bailey’s family attended Thursday’s hearing, as they have all of Fucci’s court appearances.
The prosecution’s list of witnesses for sentencing confirms that Bailey’s loved ones will be called to make victim impact statements.