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A 23-year-old Ohio woman was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison on Thursday. According to a press release from the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, the woman was found guilty of the 2020 murder of her mother on Wednesday.
According to Cleveland 19 News, 19-year-old Sydney Powell was at home with her 50-year-old mother, Brenda, on March 3, 2020. At the time, the pair were allegedly engaged in an argument. New York Post reports that Brenda “was on the phone with officials” from the University of Mount Union when she learned that her daughter had been “kicked out” of the college.
According to the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, it was then that the teenager allegedly fatally assaulted her mother.
“In March of 2020, Sydney Powell struck Brenda Powell in the head with an iron skillet, then stabbed her nearly 30 times in the neck,” the Summit County Prosecutor’s press release reads.
New York Post reports that police arrived at the Powell residence the day of the incident. Authorities reportedly discovered Brenda “with severe injuries.”
Brenda and Sydney Powell were ultimately transported to a hospital, where the 50-year-old mother was pronounced deceased.
According to Daily Mail, Brenda Powell was a beloved “child life specialist” at the Akron Children’s Hospital. Powell reportedly worked there for 28 years.
“Countless patients and families benefited from Brenda’s compassionate care and support. Brenda loved working with the teens in the Showers Family Center and always did everything possible to make sure they succeeded,” a statement about Powell, per Daily Mail read.
According to the New York Post, a now 23-year-old Sydney Powell appeared in a Summit County Common Pleas courtroom Wednesday. Powell’s appearance followed an ongoing trial by jury, which reportedly began on September 6, as per Cleveland 19 News.
Before Powell’s appearance, the woman’s defense team argued that she experienced “schizophrenia.” Therefore, the 23-year-old could not be “held accountable” for her mother’s murder.
Additionally, the defense team alleged that Powell suffered a “psychotic break” during the incident.
However, prosecutors reportedly disagreed with the defense’s argument.
“Sydney stopped attacking with the pan, presumably went to the kitchen with a knife,” Assistant Prosecutor Brian Stano told the court, per the New York Post. “She had to switch weapons and keep attacking her… Just the knife just in the neck multiple times? That is purposeful. That is trying to end someone.”
Additionally, prosecutors alleged that Powell “initially lied” to authorities about her mother’s murder, per Daily Mail. The outlet reports that Powell falsely informed police that an intruder had broken into the home and committed the murder.
Furthermore, prosecutors also alleged that Powell had even “staged” the crime scene.”
During the proceeding, witnesses from the University of Mount Union who were on the phone with Brenda during her murder testified that they “heard repeated thuds and screaming.” These sounds prompted them to alert the police.
According to the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, the jury ultimately found Powell guilty of “two counts of murder,” “felonious assault,” and “tampering with evidence.”
Powell reappeared in court Thursday morning. According to WKYC, Powell was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison by Judge Kelly McLaughlin. The Akron Beacon Journal has since provided additional context to Powell’s sentencing, reporting that she will be “eligible for parole after 15 years.”
According to WKYC, Powell did not speak when given the opportunity at Thursday’s proceeding. Meanwhile, her attorneys seemingly plan to appeal the 23-year-old’s sentence.
“I have advised Miss Powell that given the nature of our appeal she should not make a statement today,” one of Powell’s attorneys reportedly told Judge McLaughlin, per WKYC.
Additionally, Powell’s attorneys reportedly shared that her family’s main concern “is that Sydney receives the mental health treatment and placement that she needs.”
