In line with 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 damage with a weapon in July, per the press launch.

Pearson was arrested for stabbing Schemitz, Roge, and Armstrong within the car parking zone of a Ponte Vedra Seaside restaurant on June 3, 2023. In line with 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 towards him.”

In line with reviews on the time, in the course of the assault, Pearson, then 18, stabbed a then 17-year-old Schemitz 15 instances 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, exterior an area enterprise, Pearson attacked and stabbed Madison Schemitz a number of instances 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 girls being attacked from throughout a car parking zone and instantly ran to their assist. Armstrong confronted Pearson, overpowered, and incapacitated him till SJSO arrived, basically saving the lives of Madison and her mom. Armstrong obtained severe hand accidents in the course of 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 saved me alive” after the assault, and likewise confirmed gratitude for the neighborhood 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 line with the SJSO, practically one 12 months following the assault, Schemitz “walked throughout the stage throughout her highschool commencement and obtained her diploma.”

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

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 informed the choose, “I am right here earlier than you in the present day to take accountability for my actions of June 3, 2023. Most significantly, I am right here to specific my sincerest apology to Madison, Ms. Roge and Mr. Armstrong.”

“I am certain June 3 was the worst day of their lives,” he continued. “It was additionally the worst day of mine, and at all times might be. On this present day, I damage three harmless individuals. I consider my horrible crimes dedicated each second of day by day. It is on my thoughts consistently, and this can by no means ever change.”

Pearson went on to notice that he understands the “anger and hatred” the victims might 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 dad and mom “tried their very best” 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, in accordance with a video shared by WJXT. (See the video above.)

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

“For me, the journey is much from over,” Schemitz added. “There are nonetheless many steps to take, many challenges forward, and plenty of classes to study, 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 longer term and utilizing the energy I’ve gained to assist others who might face related struggles.”

In the meantime, forward of Friday’s sentencing, Schemitz and Roge filed a lawsuit towards Pearson, his dad and mom, and Mr. Chubby’s Wings, the restaurant the place the assault happened exterior of, in accordance with 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 sufficient safety for its prospects.”

The household additionally claims within the grievance that Pearson’s dad and mom didn’t get their son psychological well being remedy, and likewise allege that Pearson’s mom “supplied her then-minor son with a knife bigger than a pocket knife and didn’t 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.