Bryn Spejcher, a former audiologist, is currently on trial in Ventura County for involuntary manslaughter in connection to the stabbing death of Chad O’Melia in 2018. Initially charged with murder, the prosecution later reduced the charge based on a forensic psychologist's report that found Spejcher was "acutely psychotic" during the violent incident. The alleged cause of her psychosis was linked to three hits from a marijuana-loaded bong.
During the Memorial Day 2018 incident, Spejcher reportedly stabbed O’Melia 108 times in his Thousand Oaks condo before turning the violence on herself, almost fatally. The prosecution argues that she believed killing O’Melia was the only way to bring herself back to life, claiming her state of mind was a result of voluntary marijuana ingestion.
The reduction in charges surprised and dismayed O’Melia’s family, who viewed it as an unexpected move by the prosecution. While the defense aims to explore the idea that more than marijuana might have been in the bong, the judge denied motions to limit the defense's use of the agreed-upon diagnosis.
In the courtroom, the prosecutor, Audry Nafziger, argued against blaming external factors for Spejcher's actions, asserting that when someone voluntarily ingests an intoxicant, they are responsible for the consequences. Nafziger stated that Spejcher believed she was dead after getting high and thought killing O’Melia would bring her back to life.
The prosecution contends that Spejcher's actions, including killing her dog Arya, demonstrate a level of calculated violence. Body-worn camera footage reportedly showed Spejcher continuing to harm herself despite police intervention, stopping only after being struck by a steel baton.
Spejcher’s defense claims she has no history of mental illness and couldn't have foreseen the psychotic break induced by marijuana. Attorney Robert Schwartz suggested that O’Melia pressured her to smoke that night. Spejcher, who has been out on bail since 2018, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Spejcher faces a maximum of four years in prison. However, the prosecution has also accused her of special circumstances, potentially extending her sentence due to factors like committing great violence and being a danger to society.
As the trial progresses, Spejcher is expected to testify in her defense. The case involves complex elements, including the contested role of marijuana in the alleged psychosis, the sudden reduction in charges, and the broader circumstances leading to the tragic events of Memorial Day 2018.
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