Fla. man sentenced for stabbing and paralyzing high school girlfriend, injuring her mom

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. (TCN) -- A judge sentenced a 20-year-old man to life in prison for stabbing and paralyzing his ex-girlfriend as she attempted to flee from him when she saw him at a local restaurant.

According to the State’s Attorney for the 7th Judicial Circuit, Spencer Pearson pleaded guilty in July to two counts of attempted first-degree murder with a weapon and aggravated battery causing serious bodily injury with a weapon in connection with the stabbing attack of 18-year-old Madison Schemitz, her mother Jaclyn Rogé, and good Samaritan Kennedy Armstrong.

Schemitz and Pearson dated for about six months but broke up in April 2023. Pearson reportedly "stalked her and harassed her on social media" for several months following the split. On June 3, 2023, Schemitz and Rogé went out to dinner with friends and saw Pearson at the same restaurant. They opted to leave, but Pearson followed them out. Pearson stabbed Schemitz 17 times. Rogé tried to help her daughter, but Pearson slashed her in the forehead, leg, and hand. Armstrong saw the incident and managed to move Pearson away from Schemitz and her mother. Armstrong was stabbed in the hand, which caused massive nerve damage and the necessity for multiple surgeries.

Pearson’s arrest warrant described how he "immediately began 'steadily' cutting his own throat in an effort to kill himself."

Schemitz, Rogé, Armstrong, and Pearson were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Armstrong and Rogé both underwent hand operations. Schemitz had two collapsed lungs, a broken rib, and a laceration in her spinal cord resulting in paralysis.

Though Schemitz was paralyzed from the attack, she "worked hard during physical therapy treatment and beat the odds." Schemitz is now able to walk and even crossed the stage at her high school graduation a little over a year after the stabbing.

According to the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union, Pearson apologized to Schemitz, Rogé, and Armstrong, saying, "I can’t begin to imagine what I’ve put them through and the negative effects I’ve had on everyone involved. I understand the anger and hatred they all have for me."

Pearson told the judge he needs "serious help, and I have for a long time."

Pearson’s father, Daniel Pearson, testified at the sentencing hearing and spoke about how his 20-year-old son suffered brain and spinal injuries from years of playing football. He thinks his son has been hit in the head about 10,000 times. Daniel Pearson also spoke about attempting to get Pearson help after he attempted suicide another time.

He told Schemitz, "You were so good to our family. I’m sorry this happened to you. I think about you every day, I pray for you every day. You’re a sweet soul, you’re a beautiful person, I know that. I’m sorry."

Daniel Pearson called Armstrong "a hero," adding, "I believe you also saved my son. I know you didn’t intend to, but I thank you for that. I know this apology might do little, or might not comfort you at all, but I just wanted you to know from me and my family that we are so sorry that our son did this to you."

After the sentencing, Schemitz awarded Rogé and Kennedy the Carnegie Medal, which is given to those who "risk death or serious physical injury to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others."

Schemitz took the stand and told the judge, "June 3, 2023, was without a doubt the absolute worst, most traumatic day of my life — and I remember every single second of it."

She spoke about her trauma and pain and urged the judge to hand Pearson a strict sentence.

She said, "Your honor, on June 3, 2023, I was given my own life sentence by the defendant, and I plead with you that the defendant receive the same justified sentence and deserved punishment."

St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick said in a statement after the court hearing, "This was a good day for Madison and her family. Although this sentence doesn’t change the physical challenges Madison has to endure, she can now put this chapter behind her and focus on her bright future. [I am] incredibly proud of her and the work she is doing to help others. Madison’s story of resilience is truly amazing, and we look forward to her continued positive impact in our community."

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