In response to a press launch shared by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Workplace (SJSO), on Friday, Spencer Pearson was sentenced to life in jail for the June 2023 stabbing assault of his ex-girlfriend, Madison Schemitz, her mom, Jaclyn “Jacki” Roge, and Kennedy Armstrong, a Good Samaritan who intervened.

He beforehand pleaded responsible to 2 counts of tried first-degree homicide with a weapon and aggravated battery inflicting severe bodily harm with a weapon in July, per the press launch.

Pearson was arrested for stabbing Schemitz, Roge, and Armstrong within the parking zone of a Ponte Vedra Seaside restaurant on June 3, 2023. In response to his arrest warrant, he “started to observe and harass” Schemitz beginning in April — together with her sister telling First Coast Information on the time that their mom was “trying to get a restraining order in opposition to him.”

In response to stories on the time, through the assault, Pearson, then 18, stabbed a then 17-year-old Schemitz 15 occasions within the neck and again. Her mom was additionally stabbed within the leg and brow after stepping in to guard her daughter. Armstong, who jumped in to assist, was additionally injured. After he allegedly stabbed all three victims, Pearson reportedly turned the knife on himself and sliced his throat.

The assault left Schemitz paralyzed from the chest down. Armstrong required surgical procedure on his hand following the stabbing.

“On June 3, 2023, outdoors a neighborhood enterprise, Pearson attacked and stabbed Madison Schemitz a number of occasions with a knife, inflicting traumatic accidents that left her paralyzed,” St. Johns County Sheriff’s Workplace wrote in Friday’s press launch. “Madison’s mom Jacki Roge intervened to guard her daughter and was stabbed additionally. Kennedy Armstrong noticed the 2 ladies being attacked from throughout a parking zone and instantly ran to their support. Armstrong confronted Pearson, overpowered, and incapacitated him till SJSO arrived, primarily saving the lives of Madison and her mom. Armstrong obtained severe hand accidents through the incident.”

A month after the assault, Schemitz opened up about her restoration throughout a press convention. She thanked all the primary responders, nurses, therapists and medical professionals “who stored me alive” after the assault, and in addition confirmed gratitude for the group for his or her “outpouring of help.” Schemitz additionally thanked Armstrong, who she credited as “the person who saved my life that day,” for additionally intervening when he noticed the assault occur.

In response to the SJSO, practically one yr following the assault, Schemitz “walked throughout the stage throughout her highschool commencement and obtained her diploma.”

“Madison is an energetic public speaker and educates others on stalking and teenage relationship violence consciousness,” the sheriff’s workplace continued within the press launch. “She is continuous her difficult journey in direction of full restoration and is at the moment a freshman in faculty.”

In the meantime, throughout Friday’s sentencing listening to, Pearson issued an apology to the victims, as proven in courtroom footage shared by native outlet WJXT. (See the video above.)

In his assertion, Pearson instructed the choose, “I am right here earlier than you right this moment to take duty for my actions of June 3, 2023. Most significantly, I am right here to precise my sincerest apology to Madison, Ms. Roge and Mr. Armstrong.”

“I am positive June 3 was the worst day of their lives,” he continued. “It was additionally the worst day of mine, and all the time might be. On today, I damage three harmless individuals. I consider my horrible crimes dedicated each second of day by day. It is on my thoughts always, and it will by no means ever change.”

Pearson went on to notice that he understands the “anger and hatred” the victims could have for him, however stated he’ll “by no means perceive any negativity or sick will” in direction of his household.

“They didn’t do that. I did,” he continued, saying his mother and father “tried their best possible” to get him assist.

He added, “I would like severe assist, and I’ve for a very long time.”

Schemitz spoke throughout a press convention following Pearon’s sentencing, based on a video shared by WJXT. (See the video above.)

“As we transfer ahead from right here we’re targeted on therapeutic and rebuilding. This chapter, although difficult, is now behind us,” she stated partially. “And whereas it would take time, we’re dedicated to transferring ahead with hope and power.”

“For me, the journey is way from over,” Schemitz added. “There are nonetheless many steps to take, many challenges forward, and lots of classes to be taught, however with the help of those that have stood by me, I am assured that I’ll proceed to develop stronger every day. What’s subsequent is about discovering peace, embracing the long run and utilizing the power I’ve gained to assist others who could face comparable struggles.”

In the meantime, forward of Friday’s sentencing, Schemitz and Roge filed a lawsuit in opposition to Pearson, his mother and father, and Mr. Chubby’s Wings, the restaurant the place the assault occurred outdoors of, based on native CBS affiliate, WJAX.

Within the lawsuit, which was filed on Thursday and obtained by the outlet, the household accuses the restaurant of failing to “police, patrol, guard, deter, and in any other case present satisfactory safety for its clients.”

The household additionally claims within the criticism that Pearson’s mother and father didn’t get their son psychological well being therapy, and in addition allege that Pearson’s mom “offered her then-minor son with a knife bigger than a pocket knife and did not safe that knife regardless of data of ongoing psychological well being points,” per WJAX.

As well as, the household alleges that Pearson “ignored all warnings of his escalating psychological and emotional decline,” WJAX reported.