The Attempted Murder of Madison Schemitz | Stalked, Stabbed, and Survived | The Case of Spencer Pearson

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Now part of the Dark Cast Network. Welcome to Indie Podcasts with a dark side. On June 3, 2023, 17 year old Madison Chemitz and her mother Jackie Roget met friends for lunch at Mr. Chubby’s Wings in Point Vedra Beach. Shortly after arriving, they noticed 20 year old Spencer Ross Pearson sitting at a nearby table. Months earlier, Jackie had filed a criminal complaint accusing Spencer of stalking and harassing her daughter after their breakup. However, despite this restraining order, Spencer was there. He didn’t say anything, but he was there. Recognizing the threat, Madison and her mother decided to leave. The mother and daughter requested their check and attempted to leave quietly. Surveillance footage captured the moment as they exited the restaurant and Spencer followed them to the parking lot. What happened next is shocking. Welcome, LaMs. Welcome to love and heartbreak, to Homicide. I am your host, Ky, and if you’re new here, go ahead, take a listen and if you like it, don’t forget to subscribe. If you’re a return in LaM, thank you so much for your continued support. For however long you’ve been with LaM, I want to remind you that I am on vacation. So. Today marks the first day of the Quick Rant series for the end of December. So each episode drop day, you will be receiving a quick rant. Some might be longer than others, but don’t despair. If you get a five minute Quick episode, everything will return to normal for season five in January. So I wanted to remind you of that update.

Spencer Pearson allegedly stabbed Madison Pearson 15 times with a knife

Now let’s get back into the case of Spencer Pearson. Surveillance footage captured Spencer as he rushed Madison from behind, grabbed her and stabbed her 15 times with a knife. Witnesses described the scene as horrifying. Quote, the defendant held the juvenile victim with one arm and stabbed her approximately 15 times. Rushed to her daughter’s aid, fighting Spencer with her bare hands, as any mother would. Absolutely. She was stabbed in the forehead and leg trying to protect her daughter. And I know that didn’t stop her. A, uh, bystander named Kennedy Armstrong intervened and was slashed while managing to disarm Spencer. Kennedy ended up getting serious hand injuries. Moments later, Spencer turned the knife on himself, slitting his throat multiple times in an apparent suicide attempt. Kennedy, I just want to say that was really brave of you. I don’t know, honestly, if I would have done something like that, I probably would have called 911. But who knows, in the heat of the moment, maybe I would have called 911 and then jumped in. But honestly, for you to have jumped in to help this person who you didn’t know, such bravery first Responders arrived to find multiple victims requiring immediate medical attention. Body camera footage from St. John’s County Sheriff Office documented EMTs working to stabilize the victims. One deputy reported a victim with chest wounds while medical personnel focused on establishing an airway for Spence Spencer. So even though Spencer tried to commit suicide, notice I said tried, it didn’t work and he was taken into custody. EMTs worked for hours treating the victims, with Kennedy later saying that they spent nine hours in the main trauma unit. Madison later talked about the attack, saying, quote, I remember being on my hands and knees begging for the defendant to get off of me, with my screams slowly becoming more and more silent. Now, the relationship between Madison and Spencer lasted only six months and ended in April 2023. During their brief relationship, Madison reported feeling, quote, suffocated, trapped, manipulated and controlled. The stalking began within 24 hours of their breakup. Madison first saw Spencer’s concerning behavior at Davis park parking lot after a softball game. Quote that moment was the first moment I had felt that fear when she tried to leave, uh, followed her to her car, forcing her to run towards a friend’s house. Over the following two months, Spencer’s behavior escalated to where he created fake social media accounts to harass Madison, left notes on her car, followed her to various places, and sent concerning text messages. On April 14, 2023, Spencer attempted suicide by hanging himself with a tie, resulting in a brief hospital stay. After this incident, he temporarily stopped the harassment, but soon it was back to his normal stalker patterns. Less than a week before he attacked Madison, Jackie filed a criminal complaint against Spencer for stalking and harassment. Madison described living in constant fear, quote, having to be hyper aware of my surroundings every single day in fear that he would show up. Where I was yet again is not something a 16 year old girl deserves. That’s really concerning and really sad. I can’t imagine living like that. Like, can you imagine living in constant fear of somebody stalking you? Always there watching you? I, I couldn’t imagine. Madison was a softball star at her Ponte Vedra high school, but after this attack, she was left paralyzed from the chest down due to spinal cord damage. Quote I remember every single second of it. I should not have to remember the feeling of my body being inflicted with a knife over and over again. I remember the moment I realized I was paralyzed. Horrifying. Ah, uh, so horrifying. When medicine arrived at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville as a Level 1 trauma alert on June 3, the medical team documented severe injuries from Spencer’s attack. They said she had multiple lacerations to her back and chest. She had collapsed lungs on both sides. She had a T4 vertebrae fracture. She had a ligamentum flavum injury. I don’t know what that is. And she had right chest lacerations requiring immediate intervention. So let’s find out what ligamentum flavum injury is according to newyorknewjersyspine.com Ligamentum flavum injury refers to the abnormal thickening of the ligamentum flavum, which connects adjacent vertebrae in the spine. Okay, so you know how when your spine, the bones in your spine come to come together? I think, I think. And if you’re in a medical field and I’m completely wrong, please comment below and let me know. But I think that’s the ligaments between it, what joins them together. So I guess that’s part of how she became paralyzed. So the most critical injury was attention pneumothorax requiring immediate chest tube placement. Quote when we inserted a chest tube, we had a rush of air come out of her chest cavity. This is a quote from the trauma surgeon. On June 4, neurosurgeons performed a T4 lamiectomy and traumatic dural repair. I am not in the medical field, so let’s see what a pneumothorax is. A tension pneumothorax. According to Dr. Alan Thomas Charley, it’s a life threatening condition where air becomes trapped in the pleural space, the area between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. It causes the chest to become more pressurized, harming the heart and lungs. Wow. Madison’s rehabilitation journey started at Brooks Rehabilitation. Her physical therapist, Sydney Dalton said, quote, madison is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever worked with. No matter what I ask her to do, she’s willing and ready to put the work in. Initial assessments classified her injury as Asia B on the American Spinal Injury association scale. Ah, uh, Asia American Spinal Injury association indicated some sensory function but limited motor control be below the injury site. Through intense physical therapy, Madison progressed significantly. Quote I remember the feeling of being able to tell my mom that I was now able to move my foot and her bursting into tears of joy. Less than a year after the attack, Madison achieved a remarkable milestone. The ability to walk across the stage. At her high school graduation, she continues rehabilitation saying, quote, there are still many steps to take, many challenges ahead, but with support, I’m confident that I will continue to grow stronger each day.

Spencer Pearson had mental health issues and repeated head trauma

Spencer, on the other hand, who was once a celebrated high school football star, was described as a promising athlete with a bright future. However, he had struggles, which included mental health issues and repeated head trauma. And this actually derailed his life. In July 2023, Spencer entered a guilty plea to two counts of attempted first degree murder with a weapon and one count of aggravated battery causing serious bodily injury. The prosecution presented evidence of premeditated actions, including surveillance footage from the restaurant and detailed testimony from Detective Hannah hose of the St. John’s County Sheriff office. The defense team’s strategy was to focus on Spencer’s history of football related head injuries. His father, Daniel Pearson, testified that Spencer endured approximately 10,000 head impacts during his 12 year football career, which started at 6 years old. Because I was about to say 12 years, isn’t he only like 18, 20 years old? I was about to say 12 years. So if you knew your son was getting, you know, I’m not blaming the parents. I’m not blaming the parents at all. Let me not say what I was going to say because I don’t want to come off like I’m blaming the parents because it’s not their fault. Daniel described the toll these injuries had on Spencer. Remember, in a heartbreaking moment when he found Spencer trying to kill himself shortly after his breakup with Madison, his parents found him, quote, blue in the face and gasping for air. Uh, as a parent, I can’t even imagine finding your child like that. After four days of treatment at Baptist Hospital, doctors prescribe Floxetine. Floxetine, I think that’s how you say it. Flu, Fluoxetine, F, L, U, O, X E, T, I, N, E. Which is actually the easier way to say it is Prozac, which later Spencer decided to stop on his own, saying it was giving him headaches. His condition quickly and significantly deteriorated after the suicide attempt. His father reported that Spencer became, quote, gaunt with his eyes sunken into his head and rarely left the couch. Despite attempts at an intervention, including his parents canceling business trips so that they can continuously watch him, Spencer’s mental state continued to decline. See, that’s what I said. I didn’t want to blame the parents because in this instant it’s not the parents fault. Things happen. He was in football, he got head injuries. I can’t say, well, why didn’t you take him out of football? Which is what I was initially going to say, but things happen. It could have happened with the first head injury, it could have happened with the third head injury. So that’s why I was like, I didn’t want to sound like I was blaming the parents because in this instance, in this case, it’s not the parents fault. And as you can clearly see, his parents were trying to help him. They sat around, they watched him. They were really trying to help their son. His mother testified that they really desperately tried to find mental health care, but there were three to six months waiting periods with most providers. Why would you do that? If somebody is having a mental health problem, why would you say, well, we’re not taking new patients for about another six months. A lot clearly could happen in six months. Why would there be waiting periods for mental health issues? That’s like somebody having a baby and you saying, can’t, uh, really see you right now. I know you’re an active layer. However, there’s a six months waiting period for that. Like, come on. Dr. Mark Rubino, a neurologist, provided evidence of brain trauma and spinal cord injury that could have influenced Spencer’s behavior. Now, I don’t know about the spinal cord injury influencing his behavior, but I could understand the brain trauma. You hear that sometimes with like, boxers, MMA fighters, players, the head injury, they could become a completely different person. Dr. Rubino pointed to evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Hopefully that’s how you say it, which is cte, a degenerative brain condition often seen in NFL players. And I’ve heard about that with, uh, the NFL. I think, like football players are trying to get this known more, something like that. I know I heard about it, but I can’t remember exactly what about it right now. An MRI revealed multiple brain injuries believed to have been sustained during his football career. Doctors testified these injuries increased the likelihood of violent behavior. And when the mother was trying to find help, y’all are telling her three to six months. Not this doctor. But I’m saying, you know, just in the general sense, they’re telling her it’s three to six months. If he had cte, and you know, it causes a likelihood of increased violent behavior. Why are you telling this woman to wait three to six months? A, uh, medical evaluation diagnosed Spencer with severe major depressive disorder with mood congruent psychotic features, social anxiety disorder, and autism. The defense sought leniency, arguing for supervision and mental health counseling. They said they’re arguing for this because of Spencer’s diminished capacity to understand his actions, the need for a specialized mental health treatment, the lack of a prior criminal history, and his young age at the time of the offense. I mean, I wouldn’t really say just mental health counseling and supervision. I really think he needs to be in a mental health facility, not in prison. This is because doctors have come out and Said, this is what’s wrong with him if it was anybody else. And that’s what they were trying to say, and they’re was no evidence to back it up then, you know, but doctors came out and said, this is what’s wrong with him and this is why. So because of that, I think he needs to be in a mental health institution getting the help that he needs. Despite his parents pleas and arguments about Spencer’s mental health, the court deemed the attack premeditated and brutal during the Nov. 22 sentence. In hearing, victims and family members detailed the last lasting impact of Spencer’s actions. Madison addressed the court, marking 538 days since the attack. Quote, I’ve thought about this day, this moment, this statement every single day for the last 538 days. 538 days of living in true torment. She said she has ongoing challenges such as daily PTSD and anxiety, sleepless nights and reoccurring nightmares, fear of going outside alone and lost of trust and childhood innocence. Now, I wonder if they wanted him to go to prison based on what I’m hearing from them, or they would have been okay, like, not going with what the defense said, just, you know, complete leniency, but having him be in a mental health facility, like, which one would they have wanted? Because right now the options are, you know, supervision and mental health counseling or prison. But what if it was a mental health facility or prison? Would they have chosen mental health facility? Jackie testified about watching Madison struggle this whole time, saying, quote, you handed Madison a life sentence and you only get the same. I have to watch her struggle daily to breathe because of you. Tatiana Crusada, who was Madison’s oldest sister, wrote to the court about the trauma that’s going on in her family due to this quote, the gravity of the crime has shattered our family in ways I still cannot fully articulate. Christopher Schmitz detailed how their mother now battles chronic pains and emotional scars that disrupt their daily lives. Andreas Salvaggio, who survived a similar attack in Boston, actually connected with Madison, quote, the isolation and loneliness that you feel during this time is an unmatched feeling. And Spencer’s father actually recognized Kennedy for the intervention that they did, saying that Kennedy probably saved, um, multiple lives that day. That’s what I’m saying. A hero. Like, I can’t even tell you if that’s something I would have done. I don’t know I would hope that I’m that heroic, but I can’t say that I know that that’s definitely what I would do. But Kennedy was MVP that day. Before sentencing, Daniel apologized to everyone involved. To Madison, he said, quote, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry this happened to you. Madison, you were always so sweet coming over. You were always such a beautiful person to be around. 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.

To Kennedy, he said, quote, kennedy, thank you. You are a hero

I know that. I’m sorry. To Jackie, he said, and, Jackie, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I know you’ve had to go through a world of hurt and just dealing with all of this. I’m sorry. I pray for you to have peace and forgiveness, and I just can’t say I’m sorry enough. Y’all don’t deserve this. End quote. To Kennedy, he said, quote, kennedy, thank you. Thank you for saving multiple lives. You are a hero, and I believe you also saved my son. I know you didn’t intend to, but I thank you for that.

Judge gave Spencer Pearson the maximum sentence possible for attempted suicide

Judge Arleigh Smith handed down the maximum sentence, life in prison, saying that the severity of the crime was way too much. Quote, June 3, 2023, was horrific. 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 acknowledged the defense’s points, but said, quote, this court does not impose a sentence based on vengeance, but there are certain crimes that merit the maximum sentence possible, and this is one of them. As the sentence was being read, Spencer’s parents were crying, like, audibly crying. His father repeatedly said, quote, oh, God. Spencer, who was visibly scarred from his suicide attempt, remained emotionless. Madison and her family were very happy. Quote, this chapter, though challenging, is now behind us. While it will take time, we are committed to moving forward with hope and strength. This was a quote from Madison. She also said that she wanted to help others. Quote, for me, the journey is far from over. There are still many challenges ahead, but with the support of those who have, uh, stood by me, I’m confident that I will continue to grow stronger each day. Following her recovery, Madison joined forces with the One Love foundation, an organization made by Sharon Love after her daughter Yardley was murdered in 2010. The foundation teaches young people to recognize warning signs in relationships and prevent abuse before it escalates. The One Loves foundation educational programs focus on identifying healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors, empowering teens to make informed decisions Building support network for abuse survivors and making peer led prevention initiatives. State Attorney R.J. larza uh, launched a, uh, Safety First, Success Always program across four school districts. This initiative works alongside Madison’s advocacy efforts to prevent teen dating violence through early intervention and education. Madison’s testimony during Spencer’s sentencing highlighted the importance of relationship education. Quote, I deserve the opportunity to form relationships with whomever I wanted and deserve the opportunity to be happy in these, in these relationships. I deserve to feel safe. And that is the case of Spencer Pearson where he stalked and tried to murder his girlfriend. Madison. What did you think about that case personally? And this is just my opinion and I’m not taking away from anything Madison said or what her family decided. I think that Spencer needs to be in a mental health facility. A, uh, prison type mental health facility, but a mental health facility. But I’m not the one who went through this and it is totally not my decision. If this is what Madison felt like she wanted for him to be in prison. It is not for me to say. I’m just a podcaster and I was just saying, you know my opinion because I have a podcast, I have to voice it. So what do y’all think? Do you think if she was given the option of like an institution, a prison institution or prison, would she have still chosen life in prison or life in an institution for Spencer? Because like I said before, that’s not the option she was given. So I want to hear from you, what do you think in the comments below. Let me. And that is all I have for you for this episode today. Don’t forget to check out our Patreon where you get bonus episodes. I have a, uh, serial killer corner episode in there where it was an accident that police found out this guy was a serial killer. So you gotta go to the Patreon join with the December sale we have going on right now at 50% off your first month membership, patreon.com forward/love and murder. You do get case extras bonuses which a, uh, bonus we have coming up is the case of Miriam Rodriguez who literally fought the cartel in Mexico to try and find her daughter. And it gets even more intense than that. So if you want to hear bonuses such as that or the SKC serial killer corner episode that I just put out, join our Patreon take advantage of the December sale and you have more bonus episodes in backlog. If you just mishearing my voice and want to hear more of my voice, I don’t know why, but anyways, patreon.com forward/, uh, love and murder. Leave your comments below on this episode. And as we end each full episode, even though this is a mini episode, which actually this one turned out to be long, I remind you that it’s all love and no murder, y’all. See you in the next episode. Stay tuned for my commercial guest. Bye.

Scottish Murders is hosted by me, dawn and is a multi award shortlisted victim focused podcast covering the murders of those from or living in Scotland. We tell each victim’s story in a respectful sentence, unsensational and unopinionated way. So why not join us whenever you listen to your podcasts and ensure you never miss an episode of Scottish Murders.