Christopher Gregor, known as treadmill dad, found guilty in 6-year-old son’s death

Christopher Gregor has been convicted of aggravated manslaughter in the tragic death of his 6-year-old son, Corey Micciolo. The verdict was reached after a month-long trial in Ocean County Superior Court, during which jurors watched surveillance footage showing Gregor deliberately increasing the speed of a treadmill that Corey was running on, causing the child to fall multiple times.

While Gregor was found guilty of aggravated manslaughter and child endangerment, the jury rejected the more severe charge of first-degree murder. Aggravated manslaughter carries a potential prison sentence of 10 to 30 years, whereas a murder conviction could have resulted in life imprisonment.

The prosecution argued that Gregor’s actions, including the treadmill incident and subsequent abuse, led to Corey’s death. Gregor inflicted injuries on Corey as punishment on the day of his death, following an incident where Corey’s mother was significantly late in returning him home.

After the guilty verdict was announced, Corey’s mother, Breanna Micciolo, expressed relief, stating that Gregor deserved to be in jail. Ocean County prosecutor Bradley Billhimer emphasized that justice had been served for Corey, acknowledging that nothing could bring him back but hoping the verdict provided some closure to his loved ones.

Gregor’s attorney, Mario Gallucci, stated that his client was not surprised by the verdict and plans to appeal. Throughout the trial, the defense maintained that Corey’s death was caused by sepsis from pneumonia, not blunt force trauma as concluded by the medical examiner.

The charges against Gregor were not brought until a year after Corey’s death, when Gregor brought his son’s lifeless body to a hospital. Corey had been in Gregor’s custody, while his mother had visitation rights, temporarily suspended due to drug issues.

Gregor is set to be sentenced on August 2nd.