Treadmill murder trial: ‘I don’t forgive him. I never will’

( NewsNation ) — Breanna Micciolo said it felt good to tell her former partner, Christopher Gregor, what she felt about his conviction for causing the death of their son.

“It felt very good to tell him that I hated him,” Micciolo told NewsNation after the sentencing in Toms River, N.J.

Gregor was sentenced to a total of 25 years in prison on two charges in connection with the 2021 death of Corey Micciolo, then 6. The judge ordered the 20-year and five-year sentences to be served consecutively.

The most damming evidence at Gregor’s trial was a video of him forcing the 6-year-old to run on a treadmill as Gregor increased the speed. Video from the fitness center at Gregor’s apartment complex showed Corey stumbling several times, and Gregor grabbing his son by his shirt.

“It’s not as long as we wanted, but he’s not gonna get out and be able to start his life over — he (will be) an old man, and I’m happy for that,” Micciolo said. “Hopefully, something happens to him in jail.”

Micciolo said she was nervous before delivering her statement, which didn’t always follow what she had written.

“Once I started talking, it was easier to say all the words I wanted to say. There’s a few in there that weren’t meant to be, but I felt like he needed to hear that.”

In his statement, Gregor said he’ll remember the good times he spent with his son, and how he and Micciolo were doing a good job co-parenting Corey.

“I loved him, and I still do,” Gregor said.

Micciolo said she’s not buying Gregor’s courtroom contrition.

“I don’t believe it. It was bullshit. I don’t forgive him. I never will. He’s a monster. It made me sick to my stomach that he made it seem like he was a good father in his statement. It’s not true. Don’t believe him,” she said.

Gregor was acquitted of first-degree murder, which would have carried a possible death sentence. He was convicted of aggravated manslaughter and child endangerment. Micciolo said she respects the judge’s sentencing decision, even though it was less than the maximum 40 years.

“I think it’s the closest thing to closure that I’ll get,” Micciolo said, adding that she now has to face the future.

“We’re just trying to live like a normal life, and I want to be an advocate for other children that are dealing with this. No child should be abused.”

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