In a dramatic conclusion to a case that has captured national attention, Spencer Pearson, a 20-year-old former high school football star, was sentenced to life in prison after a violent attack that left his ex-girlfriend paralyzed and her mother severely injured.
The incident occurred in June 2023 outside a Ponte Vedra Beach restaurant in Florida. Pearson, who had been stalking his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend, Madison Schemitz, ambushed her and her mother, Jaclyn Roge, as they tried to leave the restaurant. Surveillance footage captured Pearson stabbing Schemitz 15 times, leading to paralysis from the chest down. Roge attempted to intervene and suffered stab wounds to her forehead and leg.
The attack ended when a brave bystander intervened, after which Pearson attempted suicide by slitting his own throat before being apprehended by police.
During the emotionally charged sentencing, victims and their families provided heart-wrenching testimonies. Schemitz recounted the trauma of the attack, emphasizing the physical and emotional scars it left. “June 3rd, 2023, was without a doubt the absolute worst, most traumatic day of my life. And I remember every single second of it,” she told the court.
Pearson also spoke, expressing remorse for his actions: “I think of my terrible crimes committed every second of every day. It’s on my mind constantly and this will never, ever change… I understand the anger and hatred they all have for me.”
The defense highlighted Pearson’s history of head injuries sustained during his football career, suggesting they contributed to his violent behavior. An MRI indicated Pearson had sustained multiple head injuries, comparable to those seen in NFL players, which experts testified could increase the likelihood of violent behavior.
Despite the defense’s plea for a 12-year prison term followed by mental health counseling and supervision, Judge R. Lee Smith opted for a life sentence, underscoring the severity and lasting impact of Pearson’s actions.
“This defendant launched a vicious attack on a 17-year-old girl… who had only weeks earlier done her part to try to save his life when he attempted suicide. The same person who tried to save his life he violently and viciously attacked,” Judge Smith stated during sentencing.
The case has sparked widespread discussion about the intersection of mental health, domestic violence, and the criminal justice system, leaving a community and two families forever changed.
