A California woman was convicted of involuntary manslaughter Friday in the 2018 death of her boyfriend after she stabbed him more than 100 times during a “marijuana-induced psychosis.”
It took a jury less than four hours to find Bryn Spejcher, 32, guilty of killing her partner Chad O’Melia as she sobbed during her court appearance, according to KTLA 5.
The pair had only been together for a few weeks when Spejcher attacked O’Melia after he took two hits from his bong – a smoking device often used for cannabis – in May 2018.
Spejcher then suffered a psychotic episode and stabbed her new boyfriend 108 times, eventually killing the 26-year-old. He also stabbed himself repeatedly, officials said.
Officers arrived at O’Melia’s Thousand Oaks residence the next day to find Spejcher screaming hysterically next to her boyfriend’s bloodied body, still clutching a knife.
Chad O’Melia had only been seeing Spejcher for a few weeks before he killed her after smoking pot in her apartment. YouTube/KHTS news
O’Melia was pronounced dead at the scene.
When responding officers tried to disarm Spejcher, he plunged a bread knife into his neck, according to law enforcement.
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
He was charged with special charges of using a deadly weapon, a crime involving great violence, violent conduct presenting a serious danger to the community, and being armed and using a weapon in the commission of the crime.
Although there was no argument during the trial as to whether he killed O’Melia or if his psychosis was legitimate, the trial revolved around whether his marijuana intoxication was voluntary.
Spejcher, whose defense said he was an inexperienced pot smoker, took the first shot but never got high, prompting O’Melia to tell him to take another, according to VC Star.
The prosecution said she had an immediate negative reaction to the second attack and had to go to the bathroom in a panic.
Spejcher attacked O’Melia after he took two hits from his bong in May 2018. YouTube/KCAL News
Spejcher allegedly told investigators that he then began hearing evil-like voices in his head before stabbing him to death after midnight.
Under California law, a person is held responsible for their actions when under the influence of drugs or alcohol unless their intoxication was accidental.
Spejcher’s involuntary manslaughter conviction usually carries a sentence of about four years in state prison.
He is due back in court on Monday to face a hearing on four ‘improvements’ to his verdict which could see his sentence increased.
Chad O’Melia’s father, Sean O’Melia, said he did not consider Friday’s verdict “justice.” YouTube/KHTS news
Although prosecutors wanted him remanded in custody, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Anthony Sabo denied the motion. He will be free on bail until the trial is over.
Sean O’Melia, Chad O’Melia’s father, was in court on Friday to watch his son’s killer face sentencing and told VC Star that he was grateful for all the work done by prosecutors and police, but did not consider the verdict “justice .”
“I just want my son back, and that’s not going to happen,” his father told the outlet outside the courtroom following the verdict. “In the end, there are only losers here. There is no winning here,” said Sean O’Melia.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
