A man has been accused of allegedly murdering his six-year-old son Getting him to run faster on the treadmill Because he was “too fat”, she had reportedly met him for the first time only a year earlier.
Christopher Gregor, 31, first found out about his child, Corey Micciolo, when he was sued over “child support”, his lawyers claimed.
Investigators say Corey suffered traumatic injuries – including a final blow to the heart just hours before his death – that are believed to be caused by old injuries. Child abuse From his father.
A shocking video was played in court new Jersey The trial, which began this week, reportedly showed Mr Gregor standing on the treadmill watching the youngster run, turning the machine faster. At several points, the boy falls off the treadmill to the floor and Mr. Gregor reluctantly picks him up and puts him back on.
The court heard it was unclear when Mr Gregor and Corey’s mother, Breanna Micciolo, first met, however, he was reportedly not in the child’s life until he was five years old. The youngster was described by his mother as “silly” and loved the solar system and playing outside.
Defense lawyer Mario Gallucci said in his opening statement that in 2017, Mr. Gregor was studying for a master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
“He was also hired by Urban Teachers, a company that hired people to teach in urban areas, when they learned they were being sued for child support for a child they Whom he had never met, nor did he know was the father,” Mr Gallucci said.
Referring to the video that was yet to be played, he said: “At some point, you will see Christopher, get on that treadmill and speed it up. And you’ll see Corey fall. And you’ll see him pick that guy up six times and put him back on the treadmill.
“And I’ll tell you right now that you won’t like him. And I don’t care if you like her.
“When you see that video you will be horrified. You are going to be humiliated. But I’m telling you right now that the evidence you’re about to see… his death has nothing to do with that treadmill.
Ms Micciolo reportedly cried as she watched her son allegedly being abused by his father in the clip, as she became the first witness to take the stand, revealing text message exchanges between her and Mr Gregor. Was testifying about.
The footage, obtained by Court TV and filmed on March 20, 2021, shows the little boy being forced to run faster on exercise equipment as his father speeded up the slope. Unable to keep up with the conveyor belt below, Corey’s legs buckled and he fell to the floor.
Mr Gregor was reportedly filmed picking up his son, whose legs appeared to be tired to the extent that he was struggling to remain upright. However, the father puts him back on the machine. It appears that the father eventually “bites” his son before reducing the speed and tilt of the machine – which was also noted on the arrest warrant – over his head.
Ms. Micciolo, who shared custody of her son with Mr. Gregor, allegedly reported the boy’s injuries to the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency just days before his death, she told the court.
She is said to have begged the father to take his son to the doctor on April 1, 2021. At an appointment with a case worker, the six-year-old child made a significant claim as to why he was forced to run away: his father told him “he’s too fat”.
The next day, Corey was pronounced dead.
According to Court TV, on the morning of April 2, 2021, when the little boy woke up writhing and staggering, Mr. Gregor allegedly rushed him to the hospital. He is said to have also experienced nausea and difficulty breathing.
A six-year-old boy suffered a seizure during a CT scan as medical staff tried their best to save his life. The preliminary autopsy revealed that Micciolo died of blunt force injuries with heart and liver lacerations, acute inflammation, and sepsis.
Mr. Gregor was arrested months later on July 7, 2021, on child neglect charges after investigators reviewed gym footage.
Forensic pathologist, Dr. Thomas Andrew, ruled the boy’s death in September 2021 as homicide due to long-term abuse. Dr. Andrew believes Corey suffered a severe heart injury four to 12 hours before his death.
Mr Gregor was arrested on March 9, 2022 for his son’s death. He is being held without bond at the Ocean City Jail.
The lawsuit continues in New Jersey.