‘Special place in hell’ for dad in ‘treadmill abuse’ trial: Attorney

(NewsNation) — Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani is calling the “treadmill abuse” murder case in New Jersey “indefensible” and expects a verdict within minutes.

“Watching that video alone … no juror is going to acquit in this case. I expect a verdict in a matter of minutes, probably less than an hour,” Rahmani said during a Wednesday appearance on “Banfield.” “Horrific stuff here, and there’s a special place in hell for people like Christopher Gregor.”

Prosecutors argue that Corey Micciolo died from blunt force trauma he suffered when his dad, Christopher Gregor, 31, forced him to run on a treadmill in March 2021. The workout was captured on surveillance video, which shows Gregor continually increasing the treadmill’s speed, causing his son to fall off it face-first about six times.

Gregor’s lawyer, Mario Gallucci, said their medical experts will testify that the child’s death was due to sepsis caused by pneumonia. He acknowledged during opening arguments that viewing the tape would “horrify” the jury, but argued it had nothing to do with the death, which occurred about two weeks after the workout took place.

Prosecutors also noted the boy had contusions all over his body, and his heart and liver were lacerated. Gallucci said the bruises came from the treadmill and playing football.

Besides the murder charge, Gregor also faces a child endangerment charge stemming from the treadmill video.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.