A California woman was convicted Friday of manslaughter in the 2018 death of her boyfriend after she stabbed him more than 100 times during a “cannabis-induced psychosis.”
The jury took less than four hours to find Bryn Spejcher, 32, guilty of killing her partner Chad O’Melia while he sobbed during the court appearance, according to KTLA 5.
The couple had only been together for a few weeks when Spejcher attacked O’Melia after she took two hits from his bong, a smoking device regularly used for marijuana, in May 2018.
Spejcher then suffered a psychotic episode and stabbed her new boyfriend 108 times, ultimately killing the 26-year-old. She also stabbed herself repeatedly, authorities said.
Officers arrived at O’Melia’s Thousand Oaks residence the next morning and found Spejcher screaming hysterically next to her boyfriend’s blood-soaked body, still holding a knife.
Chad O’Melia had only been dating Spejcher for a few weeks before she killed him after smoking marijuana in her apartment. YouTube/KHTS News
O’Melia was pronounced dead at the scene.
When responding officers attempted to disarm Spejcher, she stabbed him in the neck with a bread knife, according to authorities.
Spejcher also stabbed his dog during the rampage, according to the Ventura County Star.
During the trial, no one argued that Spejcher did not kill O’Melia. YouTube/KHTS News
She was charged with special allegations of use of a deadly weapon, a crime involving great violence, violent conduct indicating a serious danger to society, and being armed and using a weapon in the commission of the crime.
While there was no discussion during the trial about whether she killed O’Melia or whether her psychosis was legitimate, the trial revolved around whether her cannabis intoxication was voluntary.
Spejcher, whose defense said she was an inexperienced marijuana smoker, took the first hit but never got high, prompting O’Melia to tell her to take another one, according to VC Star.
Prosecutors said he had an immediate negative reaction to the second blow and had to go to the bathroom in a panic.
Spejcher attacked O’Melia after she took two hits from his bong in May 2018. YouTube/KCAL News
Spejcher allegedly told investigators that she then began hearing sinister voices in her head before stabbing him to death shortly after midnight.
Under California law, a person is held responsible for his or her actions when under the influence of drugs or alcohol, unless his or her intoxication is involuntary.
Spejcher’s manslaughter conviction typically carries a sentence of about four years in state prison.
He will return to court on Monday to face hearings on four “enhancements” to his verdict that could lead to an increase in his sentence.
Chad O’Melia’s father, Sean O’Melia, said he doesn’t consider Friday’s ruling “justice.” YouTube/KHTS News
Although prosecutors wanted to keep her in custody, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Anthony Sabo denied the motion. She will be released on bail until the hearing is completed.
Sean O’Melia, Chad O’Melia’s father, was in court Friday to witness the sentencing of his son’s killer and told VC Star that he is grateful for all the work prosecutors and police have done, but he does not consider the result to be “justice.” .”
“I just want my son back, and that’s not going to happen,” the father told the outlet outside the courtroom after the verdict. “Ultimately, there are only people here who have suffered a loss. You can’t win here,” Sean O’Melia said.
Categories: Trending
Source: vtt.edu.vn