91-Year-Old Man Dying in Jail Awaits Trial in Fitbit Murder Case
A 91-year-old man, Anthony Aiello, who was arrested last September for the alleged murder of his stepdaughter, is reportedly dying in jail while he waits for his trial. Aiello was taken into custody on September 25, 2018, after Fitbit data from the victim, Karen Navarra, connected him to the murder scene on September 8. Aiello’s age makes him the oldest suspect to ever be held in custody before trial in Santa Clara County, and perhaps even the United States, according to his family members.
In April, Aiello pleaded not guilty to the murder charges and has since been held without bail at Main Jail in San Jose, California for almost a year. However, his health has been deteriorating rapidly, with conditions such as congestive heart failure and kidney problems, according to his daughter, Annette Aiello. Raj Jayadev, CEO of Silicon Valley De-Bug, stated that Aiello now struggles to eat, dress himself, or perform daily tasks.
Despite his declining health, Aiello’s bail request was denied by the court due to extreme health concerns. Annette Aiello and advocates from De-Bug gathered outside the jail and the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice, holding posters proclaiming Aiello’s innocence.
The case gained widespread attention last year when law enforcement contacted Fitbit to retrieve data from Navarra’s device. Initially unsure if she had been killed, police responded to Navarra’s home in the Berryessa neighborhood for a wellness check on September 13. They discovered a scene staged to appear as a suicide, with Navarra having a deep laceration in her neck.
During the investigation, the police interviewed Aiello, who lived nearby with his wife. Detectives found evidence of blood cleanup and blood spots on Aiello’s clothing, which he attributed to frequent self-inflicted cuts. Aiello claimed he had dropped off pizza at Navarra’s home on the day of her death.
Family and community advocates argue that Aiello, given his age, should not be subjected to jail conditions before being convicted of a crime. They assert that he does not pose a threat to the public and is growing sicker each day he remains in custody.
Aiello, a Korean War veteran, had owned multiple businesses in San Jose and had been enjoying retirement with his wife before his arrest. Annette Aiello shared that her father used to say, I’m here another day, and smiled about it, but now he is unable to make that statement. She firmly believes that he is innocent and hopes he lives long enough to return home.
Aiello’s next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, where he will be arraigned after a possible grand jury indictment. The hearing will take place at 9 a.m. in Department 24 of the Hall of Justice in San Jose.
This article provides an overview of the case involving 91-year-old Anthony Aiello, who awaits trial in a Fitbit murder case. It highlights the deteriorating health of the oldest suspect to ever be held in custody before trial in Santa Clara County and discusses the arguments made by his family and advocates against his imprisonment. The article also touches on the murder investigation and the upcoming court appearance.
