Bryn Spejcher, a California woman convicted of involuntary manslaughter after stabbing a man to death, is appealing her conviction, claiming she was in a drug-induced state during the incident.
The fatal stabbing occurred while Spejcher was under the influence of potent marijuana.
In December 2023, Spejcher was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for the death of Chad O’Melia, 26.
Despite causing O’Melia’s death with 108 stab wounds, Spejcher received a sentence of two years of probation and 100 hours of community service in January.
She now seeks to clear her record of the conviction, according to her attorneys.
During the trial, both the defense and the state agreed that Spejcher was “acutely psychotic” at the time of the incident and lacked full intent or culpability.
The charge was reduced from murder to involuntary manslaughter, acknowledging Spejcher’s impaired mental state.
Spejcher’s attorneys, Michael Goldstein and Robert Schwartz, recently filed an appeal, arguing that the guilty verdict was unjust. They maintain that the sentence imposed by the judge was appropriate given the circumstances.
Prosecutors initially sought jail time for Spejcher, portraying her as a coldhearted individual, but Ventura County Judge David Worley considered factors such as her background and concluded that she had no control over her actions.
Spejcher had a hearing impairment and worked as an audiologist before the incident.
Spejcher claimed that O’Melia pressured her into smoking marijuana on the night of the stabbing, creating a sense of coercion. Despite her admission, Spejcher felt there was undue focus on her actions.
The case has sparked controversy, with critics questioning the leniency of the sentence. Sean O’Melia, the victim’s father, expressed disappointment, while the line prosecutor criticized the judge’s decision, citing racial and age-related factors.
The appeal comes amid ongoing debate over the intersection of mental health, drug use, and criminal culpability in the justice system.
As the legal process continues, the families of both Spejcher and O’Melia grapple with the aftermath of the tragic incident.
