Ohio: Woman Found Guilty For Stabbing Mother 30 Times

A 23-year-old woman from Ohio was convicted of the murder of her mother, Brenda Powell, 50, whom she fatally assaulted with an iron skillet and stabbed numerous times. This violent act was reportedly triggered by the younger woman's expulsion from college.

Court Observations

Sydney Powell, a former student at Mount Union University, was found guilty of murder, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence, leading to her emotional breakdown in the Summit County Common Pleas courtroom after the jury's verdict.

During the trial, the defence argued that Sydney suffered from schizophrenia, asserting that she should not be held accountable for her mother's murder. According to James Reardon, one of three defence experts who diagnosed her, Sydney experienced a psychotic break at the time of the killing. Brenda had been her best friend.

However, Sylvia O’Bradovich, a psychologist hired by the prosecution, disagreed with the diagnosis and contended that Sydney did not meet the legal criteria for insanity at the time of the crime. O’Bradovich acknowledged that Sydney had mental health issues, including borderline personality traits, malingering, and an anxiety disorder.

Despite appeals from Steven Powell, Sydney's father, Brenda's husband, and her maternal grandmother, Betsy Brown, for a resolution without a trial, the prosecution insisted on a jury verdict.

Sydney Powell's sentencing is scheduled for September 28. She could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 15 years, along with additional time for the conviction of evidence tampering.

What Happened In 2020?

In March 2020, Sydney assaulted her mother by striking her in the head with an iron skillet and then stabbing her nearly 30 times in the neck. She changed weapons during the attack, continuing the assault with a knife, allegedly to prevent her secret from being exposed. Police discovered Brenda with severe injuries in her Scudder Drive home on March 3, 2020.

Both she and her then-19-year-old daughter were transported to a hospital, where Brenda eventually succumbed to her injuries.

Suggested Reading: US: Siblings Steal Mom's Car After She Takes Away Their Gadgets