Action News Jax will continue to follow the latest updates in the Tristyn Bailey case on air and online. You can see team coverage of the latest developments in this story on CBS47 and FOX30 Action News Jax at 5, 5:30, 6 and 6:30.
Family of Aiden Fucci, the teen boy accused in the death of St. Johns County teen Tristyn Bailey, appeared in St. Johns County court on his behalf on Thursday.
Jason Fucci, father of 14-year-old Aiden, was granted indigency status by a judge when she learned he had three dependents in his home as opposed to two. The elder Fucci was initially denied indigency status.
#MORE: Judge approved indigent application, appointed public defender to represent Fucci. @ActionNewsJax
— Ryan Nelson (@RyanANJax) May 20, 2021
Action News Jax reported Monday when Assistant Public Defender Liana Dolores Orta filed a motion in the case, to determine Aiden Fucci’s indigency status, meaning it would determine if they could afford a lawyer to defend the teen in court.
RELATED: Tristyn Bailey case: Juvenile law expert questions murder suspect Aiden Fucci’s past
According to Florida Statutes, “an applicant, including an applicant who is a minor or an adult tax-dependent person, is indigent if the applicant’s income is equal to or below 200 percent of the then-current federal poverty guidelines prescribed for the size of the household of the applicant by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.”
According to the motion, Aiden’s parents, Crystal Smith and Jason Fucci, applied for indigency status on Friday, May 14. Crystal Smith’s application was approved by the St. Johns County Clerk of Court and Jason Fucci’s application was denied at that time.
The judge also allowed Jacksonville attorney Anwar Snober to withdraw as Aiden Fucci’s counsel.
The “motion to withdraw as counsel” was filed Monday by Snober, who had been retained to represent Aiden.
RELATED: 7 uplifting things we learned about Tristyn Bailey from her memorial service
The motion states that Snober “has discussed the matter with the Defendant and his parents and both are in agreement as to the withdrawal of counsel.”
Aiden Fucci will now be represented by the public defender’s office.
RELATED: Could Aiden Fucci, the teen accused of killing 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey, be charged as an adult?
Action News Jax’s Ryan Nelson asked the State Attorney’s Office if it has made a decision on whether to charge Aiden Fucci as an adult and got this response:
“Not yet. We are still reviewing evidence and listening to all the interviews, so more than likely next week.”
The State Attorney’s Office has 21 days from the date of Aiden’s arrest -- which was May 10 -- to decide whether to charge him as an adult.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
Tristyn, who attended Patriot Oaks Academy, was reported missing on May 9 -- Mother’s Day -- and found dead later that day in the Durbin Crossing neighborhood.
PHOTOS: Remembering Tristyn Bailey, missing teen found dead in St. Johns County
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office announced the next day, on May 10, that Fucci was being charged with second-degree murder in Tristyn’s death.
RELATED: Tristyn Bailey case: Juvenile law expert questions murder suspect Aiden Fucci’s past
On Tuesday, May 11, investigators revealed that Tristyn had been stabbed to death.
RELATED: Could Aiden Fucci, the teen accused of killing 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey, be charged as an adult?
A petition on Change.org has gathered more than 200,000 signatures, urging the State Attorney’s Office to charge Fucci as an adult.
RELATED: New details into Tristyn Bailey’s murder investigation in one-on-one with SJC Sheriff Hardwick
A memorial service for Tristyn was held Tuesday, May 18 at Celebration Church.
WATCH: Forensic psychologist breaks down Aiden Fucci’s facial expressions in court
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