Christopher Gregor, a New Jersey father, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for causing the death of his 6-year-old son, Corey Micciolo. Gregor was convicted of aggravated manslaughter and endangering a child after surveillance footage from March 20, 2021, showed him forcing Corey to run on a treadmill at high speed. The footage displayed Corey falling multiple times while his father continued to force him back on the treadmill, even biting his head at one point. Corey’s mother, Breanna Micciolo, who was separated from Gregor, testified that she filed for emergency custody after seeing her son’s bruises and learning about the treadmill incident, expressing fear for Corey’s life.
Breanna Micciolo took Corey for medical tests after noticing his bruises, but he was released back into her care after a doctor did not find signs of infection or respiratory distress on April 1, 2021. However, surveillance footage from the hospital lobby on April 2 shows Gregor carrying Corey over his shoulder. Corey suffered seizures and was pronounced dead later that day. A state expert witness determined that Corey’s death resulted from blunt force trauma, leading to Gregor being charged with his son’s murder in March 2022. During his sentencing hearing, Gregor asked the court to consider his relationship with Corey outside of the trial evidence, claiming he loved his son and had fond memories with him.
Despite Gregor’s apology and insistence that he did not cause Corey’s passing, Breanna Micciolo rejected it and pleaded for the maximum sentence, stating that Gregor had shown no remorse after the incident and during the trial. She presented a heartfelt plea, wearing a T-shirt that read, “There is no excuse for abuse,” expressing her ongoing nightmare since Corey’s death and her fear that Gregor may come after her and her family upon his release from prison. She lamented the loss of her son, the impact on her family’s happiness, and the fact that her daughter would never get to meet her brother.
The case against Gregor revealed disturbing details of the abuse suffered by Corey, highlighting the tragic consequences of his father’s actions. The surveillance footage and testimony from Micciolo painted a picture of a mother who tried to protect her son, only for tragedy to strike despite her efforts. The sentencing of Gregor to 25 years in prison is a reflection of the seriousness of his crimes and the devastating impact on Corey’s family. The courtroom drama underscores the importance of accountability for those who commit acts of child abuse and domestic violence, sending a strong message to others about the consequences of such behavior. As the case comes to a close with Gregor’s punishment, Corey’s memory lives on in the hearts of those who loved him, as they seek closure and justice for his untimely death.
