NewsNation

Cannabis-induced killing: Dad will forgive, on this condition

(NewsNation) — The father of a man who was stabbed to death by a woman during an episode of cannabis-induced psychosis in 2018 is outraged after a judge sentenced the 32-year-old woman to two years of felony probation and no prison time.

Sean O’Melia spoke with NewsNation’s Ashleigh Banfield on Tuesday night about the sentencing and said he believed the judge was biased against the prosecution.


“We read our (victim-impact) statements, and it really didn’t matter. … When the judge read his verdict, he had already prepared it. So why put us through that?” O’Melia said.

Bryn Spejcher was convicted of involuntary manslaughter last month in the killing of 26-year-old accountant Chad O’Melia. On May 27, 2018, Spejcher went to Chad’s apartment where they both took several hits from a bong filled with marijuana. Spejcher experienced an adverse reaction from the marijuana and suffered from “Cannabis-Induced Psychotic Disorder,” authorities said.

During that psychotic break, she stabbed Chad more than 100 times, eventually killing him. She also stabbed herself repeatedly, officials said.

Sean O’Melia said he’ll forgive Spejcher after she’s taken responsibility for killing his son.

“My path to see Chad again is through forgiveness of this young lady. But forgiveness and atonement are not mutually bound,” he said.