A 23-year-old former student brutally murdered her own mother because she learned she'd been kicked out of college.
On March 3, 2020, Sydney Powell of Ohio struck her 50-year-old mom, Brenda Powell, in the head with an iron skillet, then stabbed her nearly 30 times in the neck, as reported by the Summit County Prosecutor's Office.
After authorities found Brenda, who was a healthcare worker, inside her Scudder Drive home with severe wounds, she and her then-19-year-old daughter were taken to Akron Children’s Hospital, where the mom tragically succumbed to her injuries.
According to PEOPLE, the young woman - who was a former Mount Union University student - was found guilty of murder, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence in the brutal death of her mom.
Prosecutors alleged that Powell killed the child life specialist because she learned she'd been kicked out of college and didn't want her to find out, per Akron Beacon Journal.
During the trial, Powell was diagnosed with schizophrenia by three defense experts who evaluated her. They concluded that she did not understand the wrongness of her actions due to her mental disorder.
James Reardon, one of three defense experts, further added that Powell suffered a psychotic break when she killed her mom, whom she had considered her best friend.
However, Sylvia O’Bradovich, a psychologist hired by prosecutors, opposed the diagnosis and stated that the ex-college student didn't meet the lawful definition of insanity at the time of the horrendous crime.
While the psychologist believed that Powell suffers from mental health issues - including borderline personality traits, malingering, and an anxiety disorder - she acknowledged that "the best source of information for an insanity evaluation is what was said and felt at the time of the incident," per Court TV. "It just didn’t add up to Schizophrenia," O’Bradovich added.
Assistant Prosecutor Brian Stano also conveyed the brutal incident in court and claimed: "Sydney stopped attacking with the pan, presumably went to the kitchen with a knife," as cited by the Akron Beacon Journal. "She had to switch weapons and keep attacking her," he added.
"Just the knife just in the neck multiple times? That is purposeful," Stano continued to explain. "That is trying to end someone."
Powell's sentencing is scheduled for Thursday (September 28).
She could receive a maximum of life behind bars with potential parole after 15 years and additional time for the evidence tampering conviction.
