Christopher Gregor, known as treadmill dad, found guilty in 6-year-old son's death
Christopher Gregor has been found guilty of the aggravated manslaughter of his 6-year-old son after jurors saw surveillance video showing the New Jersey father deliberately increasing the speed of a treadmill that the boy was running on.
The verdict in the death of Corey Micciolo came Friday following a four-week trial in Ocean County Superior Court for Gregor, who was also charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment in March 2022.
While the jury found Gregor guilty of aggravated manslaughter and child endangerment, they rejected the more serious murder charge against him. Aggravated manslaughter can carry a prison term of 10 to 30 years. Had he been convicted of murder, Gregor could have faced life in prison.
Jurors watched the disturbing video from March 2021 of the 31-year-old Gregor repeatedly pressing the speed button as Corey ran on the treadmill, causing the boy to fall off the machine six times.
The incident did not kill Corey, but the prosecution argued that Gregor's overall cycle of abuse ultimately led to his son's death. Gregor inflicted blunt-force injuries on Corey the day he died as punishment after the boy's mother was 14 hours late bringing him home, assistant Ocean County prosecutor Christine Lento argued.
Here's what you need to know about the case and when Gregor is set to be sentenced.
'We're happy with the verdict'
When the jury forewoman announced the guilty verdict, Gregor was seen shaking his head slightly. Breanna Micciolo, Corey's mother, began crying.
"We're happy with the verdict and we thank the prosecutor's office,'' an emotional Micciolo said outside the courthouse. "He deserves to be in jail. He's a very bad man."
In a prepared statement, Ocean County prosecutor Bradley Billhimer told the Asbury Park Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, that: "At long last, justice for Corey has been accomplished."
"Christopher Gregor must live the rest of his life with the knowledge that he, and he alone, was responsible for the death of his one and only son,'' Billhimer said in a statement. "While nothing can bring this precious child back to his family, we hope that today's jury verdict offers some semblance of peace and closure for those who knew and loved Corey.''
Christopher Gregor 'not surprised' by jury's verdict
Mario Gallucci, Gregor's attorney, said his client "was not surprised" by the verdict.
"He knows it was just the first step in a long battle," Gallucci said.
Gallucci confirmed that Gregor "absolutely" plans to appeal the jury's verdict. The defense argument throughout the case was that Corey died from sepsis caused by pneumonia and not blunt force trauma to the chest and abdomen as concluded by the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office.
Christopher Gregor not charged with murder until a year after Corey Micciolo's death
Gregor, who was not charged with murder until a year after Corey died, brought the limp body of his son to an emergency room at a Stafford, New Jersey hospital on April 2, 2021. Corey died an hour later after coding twice and unsuccessful life-saving measures.
Gregor had custody of Corey while his mother had visitation rights but temporarily lost them due to drug issues, Gallucci told the jury during his client's trial.
Micciolo testified that she saw bruises on Corey in March 2021 and took him to see a child abuse specialist where he disclosed the treadmill incident. A pediatrician found no serious health problems with Corey, except for bruises, abrasions and scratches that were in the process of healing.
Micciolo did file an emergency application for custody because she feared for Corey's life, but it was rejected.
When will Gregor be sentenced?
Gregor is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 2.
Contributing: Erik Larsen/ Asbury Park Press and Mike Snider/ USA TODAY