The Killer’s Face Changed The Moment He Heard His Sentence In Courtroom

Added: 2026-05-11

[00:00:00]HEY, NO.

[00:00:05]>> Appreciate what you doing. I need that because as soon as we find Cody, I guarantee we'll find out that this is >> your brother.

[00:00:22]>> Dylan Fogle, a semi-truck driver with no prior criminal history, spent the night drinking at a gentleman's club in Tampa.

[00:00:29]After behaving inappropriately toward a staff member, he was removed by security and briefly argued outside before leaving the area. Fogle returned driving the semi-truck he used for work.

[00:00:40]Surveillance footage showed the vehicle entering the area where several people were standing outside the club. The trucks the group father named Giovanni Sodto and injuring two others. Fogle was taken to the hospital where investigators determined he was intoxicated and he was later arrested and charged. Prosecutors presented video footage, witness accounts, and the text messages to argue that his actions were deliberate and reckless. While the defense cited impaired judgment and his lack of a criminal record, a jury found Fogle guilty of firstdegree murder and related charges, which carry a mandatory life sentence under Florida law. I would just like to say that I'm so deeply sorry for what happened and if I could I would so trade places with the victims and then I'm so sorry for the families but they're having a good experience because it's just a heart and pain.

[00:01:34]>> You're a person who people care about.

[00:01:36]you're a person who cares about other people. But on this particular night, within the two-hour period uh that preceding this event, during this event, you didn't care about anybody and you didn't think about anybody.

[00:01:56]And the crime you engaged in is monstrous. There's no other way to describe it. At sentencing, the judge called the crime indefensible despite Fogle's apology and sentenced him to life in prison, marking the end of a case that permanently changed multiple lives.

[00:02:17]An incident at a Walmart in Canton began as a routine shoplifting investigation and quickly escalated into a major criminal case. Store loss prevention employees reported suspected theft involving Shane Newman, 21, and Katarina Jeffrey, 23, >> to wave his right to a probable cause hearing allowed this matter to be battled over to Stark County Grand Jury.

[00:02:39]>> A Canton police officer working security escorted both individuals into a backloss prevention office where standard questions were asked and a brief safety check was conducted. Body camera video later showed the situation remained calm for several minutes as the pair sat inside the room.

[00:03:04]>> According to police, the situation suddenly changed when Newman reached for a concealed weapon and pointed it toward the officer, though the weapon did not discharge. Store security and police immediately intervened and restrained him without further harm. Newman was taken into custody and later appeared in Canton Municipal Court where he was charged with attempted murder and several additional offenses. He waved his right to a probable cause hearing, allowing the case to move directly to a Stark County Grand Jury.

[00:03:31]>> How you done real quick? All right.

[00:03:33]>> Nothing on you was going to poke me, me?

[00:03:36]>> Court records show Newman was ordered held on a $1 million bond while awaiting further proceedings. Jeffrey was also charged accused of complicity in the original theft as prosecutors prepare the case for grand jury review.

[00:03:53]The case began in March 2023 in Clinton Township when emergency responders were called to a home after a boy was found unresponsive. Despite efforts to help him, the boy was pronounced dead. A medical examination later concluded that the cause of death was starvation.

[00:04:10]Investigators noted that the boy had previously appeared healthy and raised concerns about his condition after being returned to the care of his biological parents, Jonathan Matthew Cheek and Sierra Pearl Zaitona.

[00:04:21]>> All right. Good afternoon. What's your name?

[00:04:22]>> Jonathan Cheek. Good afternoon, ma'am.

[00:04:24]In Mcome County Jail, what is your name?

[00:04:27]>> Sierra Zetona.

[00:04:28]>> There is no uh reason for her to stay.

[00:04:30]In fact, she actually had this baby uh in Ohio to avoid CPS um alertment, which >> that is not >> Wait, hold on. Don't say anything.

[00:04:39]Um, and judge, just for the record, the child was very healthy up in when it was in foster care for a period of time. And once it got into the care of these two individuals, um, it met its demise.

[00:04:50]>> Prosecutors charged both parents with seconddegree murder and seconddegree child. A judge set 1 million bonds for each defendant, and the case moved forward in circuit court.

[00:05:00]>> I am devastated. Of course, I've been crying all weekend. I still sick about I want to cry. He was a happy little guy.

[00:05:06]He was active. He was, you know, making all his milestones. He doing what he was supposed to do. I'm so angry that people could actually do that to a child. I think this needed somebody to watch out for him and nobody nobody was looking out for his interest and that needs to change.

[00:05:22]>> As the legal process continued, the parents cases were handled separately.

[00:05:26]In December 2024, Cheek entered a no contest plea and was sentenced to 24 to 50 years in prison. Zaitona's case concluded several months later. In April 2025, she also entered a no contest plea and received the same 24 to 50year sentence. Authorities said the case underscored serious failures in care and had a lasting impact on the community.

[00:05:53]The case began in 2017 in Jacksonville when Melvin Clark, an 86-year-old Navy veteran, went missing after leaving home. Investigators later determined that Clark had been targeted by a group that used online messages to arrange meetings under false pretenses.

[00:06:08]Prosecutors said the plan was meant to be a robbery, but the situation escalated after Clark was taken to a remote area. Three people, Jennifer Schulta, Douglas Cersei, and Ray Joan s were arrested and charged in connection with Clark's death. During court proceedings, Julta testified about how the plan unfolded and identified Cersei as the main decision maker, saying events quickly went out of control.

[00:06:32]>> You knew what was going to take place because you had set it up.

[00:06:39]>> Yes.

[00:06:42]>> And so after Mr. Clark arrived, you continued to gain his confidence and created some sort of lie to make him think that you were just going to give Mr. Cersei and Mr. Jones a ride. Isn't that true?

[00:06:56]>> Yes, sir.

[00:06:57]>> Cersei too took stand and apologized.

[00:06:59]>> Say, I'm sorry for the big family. Sorry for your loss. I did not mean for it to go down like this. Very sorry.

[00:07:08]>> All three defendants were convicted.

[00:07:09]Cersei and Jones received life sentences in prison, while Schulta was sentenced to a lengthy prison term as part of a plea agreement.

[00:07:21]In January 2022, Cody Bsby, a boy from Hampton, was reported missing by his father, Cory Bsby. The report triggered a massive search involving police, volunteers, and community members across Hampton and neighboring cities. Despite weeks of searching and public appeals, no trace of Cody was ever found. As the investigation continued, prosecutors built a case against Cory Bsby using circumstantial evidence, witness testimony, and statements made while he was in custody. In 2023, he was charged with seconddegree murders and concealing a body. Even though Cody's remains had not been recovered, he denied knowing about the body.

[00:07:59]>> No, I don't know what Cody is. I never knew what Cody is. Keep doing what you doing. I appreciate what you doing. I need that because as soon as we find Cody, I guarantee you we'll find out that this is >> a jury later found him guilty. And in 2024, he was sentenced to 45 years in prison. Bixsby appealed the conviction, but in 2025, the Virginia Court of Appeals upheld the verdict, ruling that the evidence was sufficient. Nearly 4 years after Cody was reported missing, his body has still not been found. This man is in jail, has been convicted, serving 45 years, but yet won't tell the community where this baby is. Frustrating. It's very frustrating because Cody Cody meant a lot to this community. Train stations, you know, me and him, we we went everywhere, you know, thinking that he may be that way.

[00:08:53]We search Hampton, NOFK, Virginia Beach, high and low.

[00:08:58]Advocacy groups continue to organize searches and rallies, holding on to hope that one day Cody Bixsby will be found and finally brought home, bringing long-awaited closure to a grieving community.

[00:09:14]The case began in late December 2025 in East Haven when police responded to multiple emergency calls reporting a disturbance inside an apartment building. Officers arrived and encountered Tyreek Nelson Black, a 21-year-old local resident. Inside, they found a young woman, Destiny Rumley, who had been seriously injured. She was rushed to the hospital where she later passed away. Authorities said Black and the victim had previously been in a relationship and had been in recent contact before the incident. The following day, Black appeared in New Haven Superior Court for his arraignment.

[00:09:48]>> The arraignment of State versus Tyreek Nelson Black, appointed public defender.

[00:09:53]Yes.

[00:09:54]>> All right. The public defender is appointed. Bail commissioner's recommendation.

[00:09:59]>> You are >> I will indicate first of all it's an onsite arrest. Um I did read through the report and I will clearly make a finding of probable cause for the crime including the crime.

[00:10:12]Your honor, he has no criminal history.

[00:10:15]He is 21 years old. He is a lifelong resident. He reports that he is gainfully employed. He did not uh he does report substance abuse and mental health issues. Um I do understand that he has no record. However, due to the nature allegations, he will be recommending $1 million.

[00:10:30]>> How much?

[00:10:31]>> 1 million.

[00:10:32]>> Thank you.

[00:10:32]>> State in this incident. The defendant is charged with defendant called police said that he had the victim. Um he probably said that a couple times. When officer arrived, he refused to open the door and told in front of the officers that he could stop them if they entered.

[00:10:50]Um there was a three-year-old present for this incident. Um the defendant fought with officers and the victim suffered nine deep council.

[00:11:12]Thank you, your honor. Um, as stated by Bill, Mr. Black is 21 years old throughout the camp today. He's been a native of our state his entire life. He attended school, graduated from ASUS.

[00:11:23]Um, and as stated that he has no criminal record. Uh, Mr. Black is truly proud of his environment, his upbringing, his background consists mostly of depending on state benefits, early foster care, multiple ineffective DCF involvements. Uh, lack of guidance and support led Mr. glide on a trail of mental health issues. He has multiple diagnoses of PTSD. Multiple stays at inpatient services, outpatient services, and many prior attempts. Even though through all this turmoil in his life, he was trying. Prior to this incident, he was working uh part time in Wford as a flagger. He had recently completed program treatment and was doing well.

[00:12:00]Mr. Black is also extremely remorseful for this incident. We ask that you take that into consideration when setting the bond with Mr. Black. Well, he is 21 years of age. I guess he does not have any previous record. Is that correct?

[00:12:13]>> No, your honor.

[00:12:14]>> I mean, obviously I read through the report. It is uh I know he's emotional right now, but it's a very disturbing report to read when people are calling the police indicating someone is screaming and uh asking or requesting help and then he called actually the police and indicated quote I just my [ __ ] close quote. Um the police were able to get the child I guess out through a window. the three-year-old. He finally let the police in according to the report. Uh and I believe the defendant even down at the station did not disagree. Um they had uh she was calling the police uh because he had made a moral threat. Uh and as a result of her attempting to call the police is when he admits that he he took out a knife and he did. It does indicate as the state said that there looks like there was a number of various numerous wounds uh on the victim. the victim was alive when the police were there, but obviously she succumbed to these injuries. Also sounds like he had a prior relationship some time ago and there was some attempt over the last few weeks according to the defendant to rekindle it. It certainly calls for a serious uh bond, a domestic homicide of someone. Uh I'll set the bond at 2.5 million at this particular time. It's going to be transferred over to part A.

[00:13:32]Um, that's where the serious cases go.

[00:13:34]335 Church Street. I'm going to transfer it over there for January 14th. The bond is set without prejudice. Certainly, if you're going to get a public defender over there, they would have the right to argue the bond again over there. But February to January 14th would be the next date at 2:35.

[00:13:51]All right. Thank you.

[00:13:52]>> You're probably going to die off.

[00:13:59]Heat.

[00:14:15]Heat.

[00:14:33][ __ ] >> A judge found probable cause for a murder charge and appointed a public defender to represent him. Prosecutors described the allegations as severe, while the defense pointed to Black's lack of a criminal record, difficult upbringing, and long-standing mental health struggles. After considering both sides, the judge set bail at $2.5 million and transferred the case to a higher court division for further proceedings. Black entered a not-uilty plea, and the case is scheduled to continue in January as the legal process moves forward.

[00:15:19]In early December, a sudden incident in downtown Seattle left a 75year-old woman seriously injured. Janette Markin was waiting near a crosswalk when she was unexpectedly by a man later identified as fail P, age 42. Witnesses quickly stepped in and called for help and Markin was taken to the hospital.

[00:15:38]Doctors later confirmed that she permanently lost vision in one eye as a result of the incident. Police were able to locate P nearby shortly afterward, aided by surveillance footage and prior familiarity with him.

[00:15:51]>> You have the suspect's ID?

[00:15:52]>> Yeah, suspect's ID. He's being searched right now. Yeah.

[00:15:55]>> Oh, you know him?

[00:15:56]>> Oh, he's notorious for random assaults on third.

[00:16:00]>> Prosecutors later charged P with firstdegree assault with a deadly weapon enhancement and bail was set at $1 million. Our intention is to do everything we can to move the case forward and bring this individual, you know, to justice under the law. Anytime that there's repeat violence um and someone committing a seemingly random attack, it's super concerning. It's really concerning behavior.

[00:16:26]>> The case was temporarily paused while the court ordered a mental health evaluation to determine whether he could stand trial. At a recent hearing, a judge ruled that P was competent, allowing the case to move forward, >> and we would request that the court enter a not-uilty plea at this time.

[00:16:40]>> He entered a not-uilty plea through his attorney. As the legal process continues, Markin's family says their focus remains on her recovery and on seeing accountability through the court system.

[00:16:55]Renise Wolf, a 33-year-old tattoo artist, was found dead inside her North Las Vegas apartment in late December 2024. Investigators quickly focused on her boyfriend, Mark Benson, who had a prior criminal record and was on probation at the time. Benson later turned himself in, telling authorities where Renise's body could be found. He claimed the incident was self-defense, but investigators obtained doorbell video and other evidence that challenged that account. Benson was arrested and charged with murder while Renissa's family struggled to process the sudden loss of someone they described as loving, creative, and full of life. The >> world is a lot darker now without her cuz she brought so much color and so much happiness to this world. She just was literally just an angel walking on this earth and she always was good to people. While awaiting trial, Benson remained in custody at High Desert State Prison due to a probation violation. As the case moved slowly through the legal system, Renise's family prepared for future court dates, hoping for accountability.

[00:18:01]>> I was so shocked. I It's something that you don't expect to happen. Like, we're waiting for the next court case in January.

[00:18:08]>> Before the trial could begin, prison officials confirmed that Benson had died while in custody. Because of his death, the murder case is expected to be formally dismissed, ending the legal proceedings without a verdict.

[00:18:19]>> I've been suffering every single day.

[00:18:22]And so is my family over her loss.

[00:18:25]And I feel like the system let all of us down, even him.

[00:18:31]>> It's really bad, especially for us because our parking is all right here.

[00:18:35]>> I'd rather have my daughter back with all of this never happened. Uh, but that's not possible. So, what what we're going to do, what I'm going to do is focus on keeping Ren's name alive.

[00:18:51]>> Reese's family has since said their focus is no longer on the court case, but on honoring Renise Wolf's memory and advocating for stronger protections for victims of domestic violence so other families do not experience the same loss.

[00:19:10]Authorities in Roseville were called to a home early Monday morning after reports of an unresponsive girl. First responders arrived and rushed the girl to a nearby hospital where she later passed away. The situation quickly shifted from a medical emergency to a criminal investigation as officials began examining the circumstances inside the home. Following that investigation, the Placer County District Attorney's Office announced charges against Retukale Dupri, 27, and Jessica Savangzi, 26. Both were taken into custody and appeared before a judge for the first time, where they were formally informed of one count of murder and two counts of torture filed against each of them. Attorneys were appointed. The arraignment was postponed to January 5th, and the court ordered that both remain in custody without bail as the case continues.

[00:20:01]In Memphis, police responded to a disturbance shortly after Christmas along Gileiam Road near West Mitchell.

[00:20:07]Investigators say the incident involved Tekka Ray, 39, and her former boyfriend, who had recently tried to end their relationship.

[00:20:15]>> Wouldn't she has been estranged lately?

[00:20:17]She just been cutting up because, you know, he had put her out.

[00:20:20]>> Neighbors reported hearing a loud commotion outside followed by calls for help.

[00:20:24]>> Came outside just to see what was going on. He said he thought he was dead. His head was up under the car. He thought he was gone. Both his hips are broken, spines, fractures are broken, ankles broken, a rupture main artery in the left leg.

[00:20:40]>> Officers arriving at the scene found the man seriously injured and rushed him for medical care while Ry was taken into custody. Ry later appeared in court for the first time where she was formally charged with attempted first-degree murder. That's >> right. You're charged with attempted firstdegree murder. During the hearing, the judge explained that the charge carries the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence if she is convicted. For now, Ry remains in jail on a $250,000 bond and is expected to return to court as the case moves forward. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing as prosecutors prepare for the next stages of the legal process.

[00:21:19]Authorities in Corinth responded to a call at the Village Green mobile home park on Saturday morning after a serious incident was reported inside a trailer home. When officers arrived, they found that a woman, later identified as Abigail Thomas, had died. Police secured the area as part of the investigation.

[00:21:38]Shortly afterward, her 22-year-old son, Daniel Desier, was taken into custody on Monday. He appeared virtually before a judge at the Ponobsket County Judicial Center where he was formally charged with intentional or knowing murder.

[00:21:51]>> Uh, I have before me a charge of intentional or knowing uh murder. Do you understand the charge, sir?

[00:21:58]>> Yes, sir. You know, >> the judge denied bail and issued a no contact order involving certain family members and the owner of the trailer along with an order barring him from returning to the mobile home park. He remains held at the Ponobskot County Jail as the case moves forward with future court dates to be scheduled.

[00:22:19]On Christmas night in Mason County, a holiday gathering between friends ended in tragedy. Kyle Olsen was spending the evening in a backyard with several people, including his longtime friend Tyler Hess. According to court documents and witness statements, the group had been drinking and interacting casually when a disagreement broke out. Witnesses said the situation escalated suddenly and Olsen was seriously injured. People at the scene immediately stepped in, restrained Hess, secured a weapon, and called for emergency help. First responders arrived shortly afterward, but Olsen didn't survive. Hess was taken into custody and later appeared in Mason County Superior Court for his first hearing. Prosecutors requested a high bail, but the judge ultimately set bail at $100,000, which Hess posted. His attorney entered a not-uilty plea and the court ordered Hess to have no contact with the victim's family.

[00:23:12]>> My son doesn't get to see his children.

[00:23:14]>> I know emotions are high. Do not interrupt unless or speak unless court has to speak.

[00:23:21]>> The state gave him a $100,000 bail, which means $10,000. That's any car on the road today. You just Oh, yep. There you go. He's out walking around. My son doesn't get to see his children.

[00:23:36]>> I know emotions are high. Do not interrupt unless or speak unless court has to speak.

[00:23:42]>> My son's gone forever and was taken and they're going to grant Tyler to be able to see his his kids.

[00:23:50]Um it's it's it really it really hurts me.

[00:23:56]I I feel like the justice system fails us. So why would they drop the bail to 100,000 or set the bail at 100,000 and let him out so he can be in public? That that hurts me. I I feel like the justice system fails us in a lot of ways. The fact that we have to walk in and out of the courthouse with him right beside us and and and he somebody because he got angry and he's free.

[00:24:23]I feel like Washington State fails us.

[00:24:25]>> Kyle was the best. I mean, you couldn't ask for a better guy. He needed help fixing something, he would drop whatever he was doing and he would be there. You know, Tyler, I consider Tyler a friend as well.

[00:24:41]And, you know, we we always rough house and mess around. We're a bunch of overgrown children.

[00:24:48]I don't know what what what would possess somebody to do this. I've never been this angry. I've never seen any of these people this angry.

[00:24:58]The state gave him a $100,000 bail, which means $10,000. That's any car on the road today. You just Oh, yep. There you go. He's out walking around.

[00:25:11]>> The bail decision sparked strong emotions from Olsen's relatives and friends who expressed frustration and grief outside the courtroom. Hess is scheduled to return to court in early February 2026 as the case moves forward.

[00:25:28]The case began in October when Melody Buzzard, a girl, was reported missing after her school noticed she had not been attending classes. Investigators learned that Melody had been traveling on a multi-day road trip with her mother, Ashley Buzzard, which crossed several states. Surveillance and travel records showed the pair moving east before Ashley later returned to California without her daughter. A large search effort followed involving multiple agencies and growing concern from the public. More than two months later, Melody's remains were discovered in a remote area of Utah, and forensic testing confirmed her identity.

[00:26:02]Investigators said evidence collected across multiple states pointed to events that were planned in advance. Ashley Buzzard was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. During her arraignment, she pleaded not guilty, a moment that drew strong emotional reactions from those who had followed the case since it began as a missing person search. Prosecutors say the investigation is complex due to its multi-state nature, and the case will continue to move forward through the court system.

[00:26:34]On June 18th, 2024, Mia Bailey, then in her late 20s, went to her parents' home in Washington City, Utah. By the end of that visit, both of her parents, Joseph Bailey, 70, and Gail Bailey, 69, had lost their lives. During the same incident, a was been to a bedroom where Bailey's brother and his wife were inside. They were able to escape without serious physical injury. Police responded to the home that day. Bailey left the area and was located and arrested the following day in nearby St. George. According to court records later summarized by prosecutors, she admitted going to the house intending to confront her parents following ongoing family conflict. Prosecutors in Washington County charged Bailey with two counts of aggravated murder, one for each parent along with aggravated assault related to the incident involving her brother. As the case moved through the courts, extensive information about Bailey's mental health history was presented.

[00:27:28]Defense filings and family statements described lifelong developmental and psychiatric conditions, including autism and schizophrenia, as well as recent mental health crises. Despite this, prosecutors argued that the planning involved and the number of victims met multiple legal factors for aggravated murder. In November 2025, Bailey resolved the case by entering a guilty and mentally ill plea to all counts.

[00:27:53]This plea acknowledged responsibility for the crimes while formally recognizing severe mental illness at the time of the offense. On December 19th, 2025, sentencing took place in fifth district court. Family members addressed the judge speaking about who Joseph and Gail Bailey were in life and the lasting impact of losing them.

[00:28:13]>> Morning, your honor. Um, I apologize. I'm kind of still underprepared for things. Um, I come up here still conflicted about all of this.

[00:28:30]Um, uh, just thinking a lot for the past few days what it means to have justice served.

[00:28:40]Um, as you may have well read in my letter, I don't feel like there's there can be any true justice in something like this. Um, it is unfair all around that family has been broken by this in many ways.

[00:29:04]um we've lost our parents and we've lost a sibling in many ways as well.

[00:29:16]So either way we've no matter what we are losing uh as a family on this sentence.

[00:29:27]Um, for me and my family, the truest sense of justice we can come up with is making sure that we are safe now and in the future.

[00:29:40]And then also making sure that Mia is taken care of in the state hands as well for the foreseeable future.

[00:29:49]Um, and that it stays that way.

[00:29:53]I've seen what happens to people who are kicked out of the system and live on the streets um ostracized by society and it is not easy and knowing that being in jail is not easy either.

[00:30:14]Um neither one of those things are a good outlook for my sibling.

[00:30:19]um him being out is not a good outlook for my family and our beliefs is that we would still possibly be under threat in the future.

[00:30:35]So we would like to recognize that you know it is unfair all around for all of us what all of this has become essentially um I simply wish we could figure out a better way um and I can't comment on the actions of that day, the mental what me role of mentality was going on, whether it was just anger or not.

[00:31:18]Um, I I don't know. I'm still, as I said, very conflicted about all of this.

[00:31:26]Um, all I know is that what's best for us and what's best for Mia is probably uh staying in prison for as long as possible.

[00:31:39]Um, and that's just for us that's kind of the reality we've come to.

[00:31:49]>> Thank you, Mr. Bailey. Thank you, The state would now call Dustin.

[00:32:03]>> Thank you.

[00:32:10]Thank you, >> Mr. Bailey. Good morning to you.

[00:32:12]>> There's a water if you want.

[00:32:14]>> That'd be great.

[00:32:19]>> I have a prepared statement. Thank you.

[00:32:24]Your honor, we sit before this court as the children, grandchildren, sister, brother, mother, extended family, and friends. The majority of the remaining family that hasn't spoken today of Joseph Blue Bailey and Gail Bailey, two real people whose lives were defined not by how they died, but how they lived. We also stand here as a family to Mia. that dual reality is not something we choose but is something that we must carry honestly.

[00:32:54]We are addressing the court, MIA and the public at the same time because the truth in this case must be spoken plainly without distortion and without hiding behind abstraction.

[00:33:06]Our father Joseph Blue Bailey spent most of his working life as a maritime engineer on tugboats. He was gone for months at a time doing physically demanding and often dangerous work. so his family would be stable and secure.

[00:33:20]He believed in responsibility, not excuses.

[00:33:25]If something broke, he fixed it. He showed his values through consistency rather than words. By working hard, providing for his family, and being present in the ways he knew how to be.

[00:33:37]Our mother, Gail, was a homemaker, but advocacy was her life's work. She spent years navigating schools, doctors, and systems that resisted accommodation, particularly when it came to mental illness. She did that work without a title, without pay, and without recognition.

[00:33:59]because her children mattered more than anything else. Long before most people understood what autism or schizophrenia meant, she was fighting school systems, attending IEP meetings, researching, calling, pushing, and insisting that not be written off because she was difficult or complicated.

[00:34:17]When Mia struggled, Gail's response was not frustration or withdrawal. It was persistence. She meant it even when it had exhausted her, even when it hurt cost her her peace, and even when it delayed the life she and her father had worked decades to earn.

[00:34:33]What we miss is not abstract. We miss sitting on the porch with them at the end of the day when we were visiting. We miss phone calls that didn't have an agenda, just checking in. We miss our mom's pies that run contests and anchor our holidays, something familiar, expected, and uniquely hers. We miss our dad's steady presence, doing small repairs, keeping things moving, and grounding the room without needing to be the center of it. The grandchildren miss grandparents who showed up who babysat, fed to them sports and activities, spoiled them, and made them feel safe.

[00:35:06]These ordinary moments are gone forever.

[00:35:11]If Bill and Gail were here today, they would not ask for the harshest sentence simply because it exists. They will ask for treatment, structure, safety, acknowledgement of severe mental illness, and yes, consequences, but not retribution.

[00:35:29]They believed accountability mattered.

[00:35:31]They did not believe in destroying people to satisfy anger.

[00:35:36]Mia, we do need to speak to you directly and plainly. What you did ended the lives of our parents, our family, and that truth does not soften with time, explanation, or context. Two people are gone forever because of your actions, and accountability is required.

[00:35:53]It must be serious, and it must reflect the harm that was done. At the same time, we refuse to pretend you arrived at that moment with a healthy mind, full capacity, or adequate support. You did not. You arrived there after years of severe mental illness, escalating instability, and repeated failures by systems that were supposed to intervene when it was clear you were not safe or well. Saying this does not excuse what you did. It tells the truth about what happened. Accountability does not require us to deny your illness. And acknowledging your illness did not diminish the lives that were taken. Both realities exist at the same time. We want you to understand this. The consequences we are asking for are not rooted in hatred or revenge. They are rooted in responsibility, safety, and the reality that you required structure and treatment to survive.

[00:36:46]What happened cannot be undone. But pretending you are someone you are never capable of being does not serve justice and it does not honor our parents.

[00:36:55]Your honor, we support consecutive sentences because two lives were taken.

[00:37:01]Each life deserves to be recognized.

[00:37:05]That is not negotiable. But we are asking the court to understand that life without the possibility of parole is not justice here. It is abandonment disguised to severity. Consecutive sentences allow for recognition of each loss, long-term incapacitation, mandatory treatment and structure, and future professional review. Not automatic release, but accountability over time. That distinction matters.

[00:37:33]This tragedy did not occur in isolation.

[00:37:36]One of the most painful truths is that Mia did try to get help. In the days before the Mia voluntarily checked herself into a state-run mental health facility, she was experiencing significant psychiatric symptoms. She knew something was wrong. She caught care and she was released after only 3 days.

[00:37:57]At the time of her release, she was still experiencing serious symptoms. She was not stable. She was not safe and she was not adequately supported. We believe and we say this with care and seriousness that she should have not have been discharged so quickly. That decision was another failure in a long chain of failures that left everybody vulnerable. That failure harmed Mia and it endangered our parents.

[00:38:24]In the months leading up to this tragedy, Mi was also able to obtain powerful hormone medications through a telealth system that required almost nothing of her and protected almost no one else. Just a few video calls, roughly 15 minutes each. That is what stood between me and medications that would further destabilize on an already fragile and deteriorating mind. There was no meaningful psychiatric evaluation. There was no sustained oversight. There was no follow-up that matched the severity of her mental illness. What existed instead was a model that functioned less like medical care and more like a subscription. One that prioritized prioritized access and liability protection over clinical responsibility. We want to be absolutely clear for the record. There is nothing wrong with being transgender.

[00:39:11]We support LGBTQ rights fully. This has nothing to do with identity. This is about medical negligence.

[00:39:20]Providing powerful hormones to a person is a psychiatric crisis without proper psychiatric safeguards is not affirming care. It is reckless. In this case, it has acted as an accelerant intensifying instability, impairing judgment and compounding risk. That failure harmed Mia and it endangered our parents.

[00:39:39]Despite loving Mia, despite knowing her struggles, despite trying to help, we were also unable to prevent her access to a firearm. Families are expected to manage psychiatric risk risk without authority, without enforcement power, and without meaningful legal tools. The burden is placed on families until tragedy makes intervention unavoidable.

[00:40:00]Our parents paid the price for that gap.

[00:40:03]Justice should be honest enough to acknowledge it.

[00:40:07]and Mia, if you are released decades from now, the reality you face will already be severe. Being a transgender felon in Utah will make integration into society extraordinarily difficult. That reality alone is a lifelong consequence.

[00:40:23]Allowing poor eligibility does not guarantee release. It preserves the role of evaluation, treatment, assessment, and accountability.

[00:40:32]Rather than declaring that no manner of change, insight, or stability will ever matter, our parents believed in a structure with accountability was stronger than hopelessness.

[00:40:44]Your honor, in closing, we ask the court to impose consecutive sentences. We ask the court to acknowledge severe mental illnesses as real and relevant, and we ask the court to deliver justice that our parents, practical, compassionate, and grounded, would recognize as worthy of their lives. Thank you. Bayleyy's brothers emphasized both accountability and safety while also acknowledging their sister's long struggle with mental illness. Prosecutors asked for consecutive sentences, arguing that two lives were lost and each deserve separate recognition under the law. Your honor, just to follow up with that and I recognize I cannot say that better than what has already spoken, but the state is also asking for consecutive and we're asking for consecutive because that is our policy and that is our practice and that has been the practice since I've worked here back in 1999. Honor, when you have two separate lives, we recognize each life and that's what we have here and each life deserves a separate consequence and that's why it's consecutive. owner. The second reason why I'd be requesting persecutive is because when you look at aggravated there are several different factors and under 765202 in this case and you only need one factor to charge aggravated but in this case you have four of those factors.

[00:42:06]First of all under 2A two or more individuals lives were lost on that day.

[00:42:13]Under 2B, when you commit a homicide with an attempt to kill another, that is an aggravated factor. We also have that here.

[00:42:24]The defendant attempted to kill Corey.

[00:42:30]In fact, in the interview, the defendant stated that the brother was not her main target, but she would not have been sad had the the killed him.

[00:42:43]The third is under 7652023.

[00:42:46]An actor knowingly created a risk of death to another individual.

[00:42:52]Your honor, Cory's wife was also there.

[00:42:57]And as Mia was running down the stairs and they heard the upstairs, Corey's wife hid in the closet.

[00:43:06]Gratefully, Corey got his wife out of the closet and started climbing out the window. When Mia that through the door, it went right into the closet where Cory's wife was.

[00:43:20]It is a miracle that she is not dead.

[00:43:24]It was very close to having three deaths on that day.

[00:43:28]And the fourth factor, your honor, as to why this must be consecutive is because Mia knew that she was not allowed at that house and yet she still went to the home despite a protective order. Despite knowing that she was not welcome there, that is an aggravated burglary. She broke into that home and in doing so, that is the fourth factor under 765202 section B that that is an aggravated factor. Based on those four factors, your honor, we are asking that this be consecutive.

[00:44:12]The final reason that I'll point out as to why this should be consecutive is just based on the heinous and premeditated nature of the crime.

[00:44:22]Mia planned this crime out, purchased a again.

[00:44:27]Mia knew that she shouldn't even be purchasing a gun because of a protective order.

[00:44:34]She went to the range. She practiced.

[00:44:36]She planned when to go, specifically targeting four individuals.

[00:44:45]Your honor, I was going to go into much more detail about the heinous nature of this crime. I was prepared today to place to have two officers testify and place play actually some additional evidence, but I'm not going to do that because of what the brothers have asked for and because of how they how they presented themselves and the statement that they have made.

[00:45:09]I believe that is s sufficient.

[00:45:11]and I'm just asking you to >> Defense attorneys requested concurrent sentences, citing Bailey's lack of prior criminal history and the role her mental illness played and asking that future decisions be left to parole authorities.

[00:45:24]>> Psychological evaluation and the mitigation report be made part as an addendum to the presence report so that that would follow uh my client to the prison.

[00:45:35]>> That'll be the order.

[00:45:36]>> Thank you.

[00:45:37]>> You're welcome.

[00:45:42]Your honor, on behalf of Mia Bailey, um I am asking the court to impose concurrent sentences. Utah code 763 401 uh addresses what the court needs to consider when uh considering concurrent or consecutive sentences. Subsection two specifically says the court shall consider the gravity and circumstances of the offenses, the number of victims, as well as the history, character, and rehabilitative needs of the defendant.

[00:46:18]And I will focus my comments today on Mia's history and character and rehabilitative needs.

[00:46:27]Um, first, and I think very importantly, Mia has no prior criminal history. Uh, none no prior convictions, no prior arrests.

[00:46:39]Um, and and what the court has already heard today and what the court has already read in the present report as well as the victim impact statements um, is that Mia is is severely mentally ill. Um she was diagnosed with autism at age four which uh to be clear is not a mental illness. Uh it is a disability and it does greatly affect her behavior and affected her development. She's also been diagnosed with ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, psychosis, possible bipolar with psychosis, and schizophrenia.

[00:47:22]um part of this, your honor, in the summer of 2023 and um 2024, she was admitted to the hospital to uh for paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations.

[00:47:39]Uh she was discharged the the most recent time that she committed herself as has been mentioned. She was discharged three days later and 10 days later she murdered her parents. Um I want to quote from two of the victim impact statements because honestly I think they say better than I could what I want to convey to the court.

[00:48:07]Uh, and I'll try to do this without identifying the relationships, but these are in the presence report, victim impact statements the court has read.

[00:48:16]Um, I need to say something that's difficult to articulate while carrying all this pain. Mia was severely mentally ill. I grew up watching her struggle with autism and schizophrenia.

[00:48:29]I saw how hard uh the victims worked to help her, to find treatment that would work, to support her even when she was difficult and frightening and exhausting to be around. They never stopped trying because they understood something about her condition that's hard for a lot of people to grasp. That her cog her cognitive functioning and emotional regulation were profoundly impaired in ways that make her fundamentally different from neurotypical adults. What she did was devastating and unforgivable in so many ways. She deserves to spend decades in prison for taking them from me, from all of us. But I recognize what what the victims spent their lives recognizing that Mia's actions came from a place of severe psychiatric dysfunction, not calculated evil. The combination of her autism, schizophrenia, and the hormonal destabilization she was experiencing created a perfect storm that her already impaired brain couldn't withstand.

[00:49:37]from another one of the impact statements. And this one's a little more brief.

[00:49:43]I need to I need this court to understand something fundamental. Mia is not a neurotypical adult who made calculated evil decisions. Mia has severe autism and schizophrenia, a combination of conditions that left her functioning at the cognitive and emotional level of a young child, particularly during times of stress or psych psychiatric crisis. And I offer these comments, your honor, not as an excuse, um, but somewhat of an explanation and just on on behalf of Mia for the court to understand what led up to this horrific these horrific events.

[00:50:31]What this shows, your honor, is that Mia's history and character is not that of a calculated, evil, cold-hearted person. Her rehabilitative needs are significant, and very well she may be rehabilitatable, but only time will tell.

[00:50:52]We we can't predict the future on that.

[00:50:54]We I don't know. I don't think anybody knows 20, 30 years from now where Mia will be as far as whether she can function in society, whether she's paid the price by pleading guilty. Your honor, she accepted responsibility for causing the death of her parents and her brother. In the presentence interview, as as noted in the presentence report, Mia expressed remorse for her actions and regret for what she did.

[00:51:25]For all of this, she will spend significant time in prison.

[00:51:29]But as we all know, how much time she spends in prison will be up to the board of pardons. The board will be in the best position in the future to decide if and when Mia can reenter society.

[00:51:45]um both the options the court has of concurrent or consecutive both have the life top as as an option.

[00:51:57]So that simply put by imposing current concurrent sentences this will give the board of pardons and parole the greatest flexibility to determine if and when appropriate to allow Maria to allow MIA to be parrolled, to be released, and to reenter society.

[00:52:18]That's what I'm asking the court to do is simply give the board the most discretion by allowing concurrent sentences so that they can make that determination, recognizing that under either scenario, they could keep her there for the rest of her life. But concurrent allows them the greatest flexibility to make that decision in the future. And with that, I will submit. Your honor, I believe my client still wants me to read the statement when the court is ready for that. She understands she has a right to Well, I'll let the court address that.

[00:52:51]>> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Stout. Uh you may go ahead and read the statement written by your client.

[00:52:58]>> And your honor, this um Mia did write the statement. She um uh we I had talked to her about her option to address the court directly. Uh I off I also offered the option for her to prepare a statement and have me read it. So um I did help her with the very last part of this but uh this is this is her statement her words.

[00:53:21]Uh it's fairly short. It brings me great pain and regret of the events that followed. I was not in a stable mindset at the time and if only I had gotten help this would have been preventable.

[00:53:36]It makes me want to die because I can't live with myself. I am sincerely, deeply sorry to my family that I committed this atrocity.

[00:53:47]I wish I could earn forgiveness in time.

[00:53:51]Because of my religious beliefs as a Muslim, it would be appropriate to take my life for atonement for what I did.

[00:54:02]Your honor, those are again those are Mia's words and I'm just asking the court to impose concurrent sentences again to give the board the greatest flexibility about making that decision in the future. Thank you.

[00:54:14]>> Thank you, Mr. Stout.

[00:54:16]>> Bailey submitted a written statement read aloud by her attorney expressing remorse and acknowledging she was not mentally stable at the time. The court considered that statement along with psychological evaluations and victim impact reports. It's unfortunate these things happen.

[00:54:33]And Miss Bailey, you're here because of horrible acts that you committed.

[00:54:42]The thing that the court's able to receive, as I stated earlier, as I uh prepared for today, is the letters that are submitted.

[00:54:53]The letters give me an opportunity to understand what the victims have been going through.

[00:55:02]I didn't know your parents, but I feel I kind of know them now.

[00:55:08]And uh that's important. That's important because as we leave the courtroom here today, that life is going to go on for everyone.

[00:55:20]And certainly all of us feel for the victims in this case. And the victims are real.

[00:55:29]I'll just read uh one part of a a statement that the granddaughter wrote.

[00:55:51]She said, "One of my last of most treasured memories with them, grandma, grandpa, was a simple quiet moment. We sat on their porch together watching the sunset."

[00:56:05]That moment means a lot to me. It was the last bit of quality time I spent with them.

[00:56:12]We didn't need words. Even in the quiet of that memory, I felt their love and warmth.

[00:56:20]Every sunset I see now reminds me of them and our last moments together.

[00:56:25]Losing them has left a constant ache in me that I've been carrying ever since.

[00:56:32]See, the reality the reality is is that it's not just that your parents have passed on now with an act that you committed.

[00:56:42]It's the ripple effect, the ripple effect that so many people feel.

[00:56:50]And it's cliche for a court to try to suggest that after sentencing that that we can all move on.

[00:57:01]But with that said, I sincerely hope that the grandchildren and loved ones and siblings and the divide that this type of thing has caused that there can be a mending of fences and there can be a mending with the siblings. It's been difficult. I think that your parents would have been very proud of your brothers on a very difficult circumstance today on what they said here to the court.

[00:57:27]I felt it had a very very compassionate tone toward you and yet there was accountability and yet there was the love and the things that your parents taught your family and that came out and that should have come out and I appreciate uh hearing that your acts on that day or Very chilling.

[00:58:03]If we follow what happened, you came to the house. You had a gun.

[00:58:10]You shot your parents. Then you proceeded to go downstairs. The door was locked.

[00:58:17]Got into the room where your brother Corey and Mand were.

[00:58:25]and then you went back upstairs. Miss Bailey then went back upstairs. She stated she returned to her father who was lying on the ground and shot him one more time in the head to make sure he was dead.

[00:58:38]Spent shell casings were also found near Joseph Baileyy's body. She heard her mother making noises. Miss Bailey walked back over to her mother and her in the head to make sure she was Gravity of the circumstances again are there.

[00:59:03]And as to the sentence today, the sentence uh should and will be consecutive sentences.

[00:59:15]Spalian case 24151193 to the charge of aggravated murder, a firstdegree felony. You are hereby sentenced to serve 25 years to life.

[00:59:28]Count two, aggravated murder, firstdegree felony. You're hereby sentenced to serve 25 years to life.

[00:59:36]Count three, aggravated assault, a thirdderee felony. You are hereby sentenced to serve zero to five years.

[00:59:43]Always at the Utah State Prison to run consecutive one with the other.

[00:59:50]Restitution will remain open.

[00:59:54]You're hereby remanded to the Department of Corrections to serve this sentence.

[01:00:00]>> Good luck to you.

[01:00:02]>> Thank you.

[01:00:03]>> Corby in recess. Great. Thank you.

[01:00:05]>> Judge Keith C. Barnes ruled that consecutive sentences were required. He sentenced Bailey to two consecutive terms of 25 years to life for the aggravated murder convictions, plus an additional consecutive sentence of up to 5 years for aggravated assault. In total, Bailey must serve at least 50 years before she can be considered for parole review. Bailey is now in the custody of the Utah Department of Corrections, where she will remain for decades before any parole review is possible under state law. Big thanks to our viewers for joining the courtroom journey with us. Your interest in the stories of justice is what keeps our channel