Chad O’Melia and Bryn Spejcher are hanging out at O’Melia’s home when a roommate comes home but goes to take a shower.
He starts hearing noises downstairs and when he hears the sounds of things breaking, he takes a look. The roommate sees furniture toppled, the couch is flipped over and covered in blood, and O’Melia is severely wounded. O’Melia begs for help.
Bryn Spejcher has attacked Chad O’Melia in a pot-induced rage. When police arrive they find Chad O’Melia dead from over 100 stab wounds, and Bryn Spejcher crying and screaming hysterically. The bloody knife is still in her hands. As officers try to disarm her, Spejcher plunges the knife into her own neck. Officers use a Taser and several baton blows before they can disarm Spejcher finally.
Bryn Spejcher is charged with murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon, a crime involving great violence, violent conduct that indicates a danger to society, and being armed with and using a weapon in the commission of the crime.
Spejcher posts bail and remains out on bail over the next 5-years of delays to allow for hearings and experts to provide studies. Prosecutors reduced the charge to involuntary manslaughter after their expert psychologist agreed with defense experts that Spejcher was suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis when she stabbed O’Melia to death
When the case finally gets to trial there is no argument about whether Bryn Spejcher killed Chad O’Melia or if her psychosis was legitimate. During the trial, the LA Times reports, a medical expert testifies that Spejcher’s behavior is the result of cannabis-induced psychosis.
According to the National Library of Medicine, a diagnosis of the disorder is given when hallucinations or delusions materialize shortly after consuming cannabis. According to the VC Star, Spejcher’s defense attorneys claim that their client was “involuntarily intoxicated,” and that O’Melia had allegedly bullied and intimidated her into smoking the last bit of marijuana.
A jury finds Bryn Spejcher guilty of involuntary manslaughter in a killing triggered by cannabis psychosis, but Ventura County Superior Court Judge David Worley announced Spejcher would be sentenced to two years probation and a suspended prison sentence of four years.
Joining Nancy Grace Today:
Additional Guests
- Sean O’Melia – Chad O’Melia’s father
- Dr. Kris Mohandie – Ph.D., ABPP, Forensic Psychologist; Author: “Evil Thoughts: Wicked Deeds;” Twitter: @Dr.KrisMohandie IG: drkrismohandie
“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” on Fox Nation is also a national radio show on SiriusXM channel 111, airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.
[Feature Photo: Spejcher/Police Handout; O’Melia/Family Handout]
