In Toms River, New Jersey, Christopher Gregor has been convicted of the aggravated manslaughter of his six-year-old son, Corey Micciolo. The verdict came after a month-long trial in Ocean County Superior Court. While Gregor was found guilty of aggravated manslaughter and child endangerment charges, jurors rejected the more severe murder charge. The sentencing for Gregor could result in a prison term of 10 to 30 years, as opposed to a potential life sentence if convicted of murder.
The conviction stemmed from a disturbing surveillance video from March 2021, showing Gregor intentionally increasing the speed of a treadmill that Corey was running on, causing him to fall off the machine multiple times. The prosecution argued that this act, along with a pattern of abuse, ultimately led to Corey’s death. Corey’s mother, Breanna Micciolo, expressed relief over the verdict, stating that Gregor deserved to be in jail as “He’s a very bad man.”
Ocean County prosecutor Bradley Billhimer commended the verdict as justice for Corey, emphasizing that Gregor must live with the knowledge that he was solely responsible for his son’s death. Gregor’s defense attorney, Mario Gallucci, mentioned that Gregor plans to appeal the jury’s decision, arguing that Corey’s death resulted from sepsis caused by pneumonia, not blunt force trauma as concluded by medical examiners.
Gregor was not charged with murder until a year after Corey’s death when he brought the boy to a hospital, where he later passed away. The court learned that Gregor had custody of Corey while the mother had visitation rights, but temporary lost them due to drug issues. Despite concerns raised by Micciolo over bruises on Corey, her application for emergency custody was rejected.
The sentencing for Gregor is scheduled for August 2. The case sheds light on the tragic consequences of abuse and neglect, emphasizing the importance of protecting the well-being of children. It serves as a reminder of the responsibility of caregivers to ensure the safety and welfare of vulnerable individuals in their care.