Aiden Fucci made his first pre-trial appearance in a video hearing on Wednesday, looking dazed and confused.
Wearing an orange jumpsuit, the 14-year-old was led into a room in Duval County Jail, and engaged in some bizarre behavior after being handed a phone by a guard.
Rocking back and forth, his eyes darted around the room at nothing, before he started muttering "Please don't let the demons take my soul.... The demons are going to take my soul away."
"What's going on?" he repeatedly asks. "Why am I here? I just want to talk to my mom and dad. What's going on? What's going on?"
He did not interact with anybody on the line; according to News4Jax which has been closely following the case, his lawyer waived the right to a speedy trial — which is common — moving the next hearing to October 28.
Forensic psychologist Dr. Justin D'Arienzo, who is not affiliated with the case, told the outlet it was hard to tell if he was faking or not.
"He definitely looked disoriented and confused. It's hard to tell if he's feigning mental illness or if something is really happening with him," he said. "From my perspective, it seemed genuine, given the pattern of behavior today and from what else we know."
As yet, the judge has not ordered a mental health competency evaluation; if one is ordered, it could drag the case out for months more.
Fucci's mother Crystal Smith, who is accused of evidence tampering, also had her hearing moved to October 28; she is currently out on bond.