ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Court TV) – The family of a slain teenager released a statement expressing their disappointment after a court hearing in the case of a woman accused of helping her son hide evidence of a murder.
This photo provided by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office shows Crystal Lane Smith. The mother of Aiden Fucci is facing a charge of evidence tampering, authorities say. (St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office)
Aiden Fucci, 16, confessed to killing 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey when he was 14 and was sentenced to life in prison on March 24. Fucci’s mother, Crystal Smith, is facing a charge of evidence tampering in connection with her son’s case.
Police accused Smith of scrubbing a pair of her son’s jeans after he stabbed Bailey 114 times, killing her. According to an arrest warrant filed in the case, a surveillance camera inside the home recorded Smith washing the pants, which later tested positive for blood. Traces of blood were also allegedly found in the drain.
Smith and her attorneys appeared in court on Tuesday for a motions hearing, as prosecutors want her defense team barred from telling jurors she would have needed to actually destroy or damage evidence to be convicted, WTLV reported.
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In a statement following the hearing, Bailey’s family described the day in court as “antagonizing to say the least, and anger ridden as [Smith] has continuously failed to take responsibility.”
“We were hoping that a plea deal would be reached. This obviously would be a benefit to our family so that we can take our next step forward in focusing on the life and legacy of Tristyn. We also strongly feel this would benefit the community, particularly the children who have had to endure these years of lost innocence replay over and over in their mind.”
Judge R. Lee Smith did not issue a ruling on the prosecution’s motion.
The defense filed a motion seeking to bar expert testimony stating that it’s possible that Smith’s washing of the jeans could have covered up DNA evidence, but the judge said the testimony would be allowed at trial, WJAX reported.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday, May 15, in Crystal Smith’s trial.
