Current:Home > FinanceOhio Woman, 23, Sentenced to 15 Years to Life in Prison For Stabbing Mom Over College Suspension -WealthSync Hub
Ohio Woman, 23, Sentenced to 15 Years to Life in Prison For Stabbing Mom Over College Suspension
View
Date:2025-04-15 07:31:26
Sydney Powell will spend no less than 15 years in prison for the murder of her mom Brenda Powell.
One week after a jury found the 23-year-old guilty of murder, assault and tampering with evidence, Sydney was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the 2020 stabbing death, NBC News has confirmed.
In March of that year, Sydney—who had been a student at the University of Mount Union—was suspended from the Ohio school for poor grades, according to prosecutors via NBC News, and flew into a rage when her mom found out. On March 3, Sydney, then 19, hit Brenda, 50, with an iron skillet before stabbing her nearly 30 times in the neck.
Prosecutors stated Brenda was, in fact, on the phone with school officials when the ambush unfolded and that they, in turn, called authorities after they heard screams from the other end of the call.
"The phone cut off at some point after, I would say, somewhere in the neighborhood of six or seven of those thudding, those sort of thud sounds," Associate Dean of Students Michelle Gaffney previously testified, per the outlet, "and the screaming had continued."
After the abrupt disconnect, concerned school administrators called the home repeatedly to get back in touch with Brenda, according to NBC News, before someone answered that claimed to be her.
"The voice on the other ends said, 'Yes, this is Brenda. Yes, this is Brenda,'" Gaffney stated during testimony. "It was not Brenda. I was sure it was Sydney. Both Dean [of Students John] Frazier and I looked at each other and sort of shook our heads at each other and said that's not Brenda. He then said, 'Sydney, I think this is you, this is not Brenda.' The phone went dead."
During her sentencing, Sydney's attorney read a letter he said he received from a doctor at Akron Children's Hospital, where Brenda worked for nearly 30 years.
"I have almost never felt so strongly that I need to offer a voice of advocacy as I have in this tragic situation of an unfathomable verdict and the tragic current of ripple effects it will undoubtedly have upon this loving family," her lawyer read aloud in the courtroom, according to local outlet WKYC. "I have repeatedly heard from those who know Brenda well. Their intimate knowledge of Brenda, her family, her husband and Sydney, that they have endured incredible loss as a result of Sydney's actions on that horrible day."
E! News has reached out to Sydney's attorney for comment and has not heard back.
Under the term imposed by Judge Kelly McLaughlin, the former college student will be eligible for parole after serving at least 15 years of her sentence.
(E! and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.)
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (6)
Related
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Florida police fatally shot man who burned 9-year-old boy he thought was demon possessed
- 2 10-year-old boys killed in crash after father fled from police, 4 others injured: Police
- Grocery store hours on Christmas Eve 2023: Costco, Kroger, Publix, Whole Foods all open
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- A storm in Europe disrupts German trains. A woman was killed by a falling Christmas tree in Belgium
- News quiz resolutions: What should our favorite newsmakers aim to do in 2024?
- Live updates | As the death toll passes 20,000, the U.N. again delays a vote on aid to Gaza
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Woman posed as Waffle House waitress, worked for hours then stole cash: Police
Ranking
- Average rate on 30
- Two people who worked for former Michigan House leader are charged with financial crimes
- Amanda Bynes Wants This Job Instead After Brief Return to the Spotlight
- 2 10-year-old boys killed in crash after father fled from police, 4 others injured: Police
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Federal court revives lawsuit against Nirvana over 1991 'Nevermind' naked baby album cover
- Humans could have arrived in North America 10,000 years earlier, new research shows
- California lawsuit says Ralphs broke the law by asking job-seekers about their criminal histories
Recommendation
Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
The war took away their limbs. Now bionic prostheses empower wounded Ukrainian soldiers
EU pays the final tranche of Ukraine budget support for 2023. Future support is up in the air
California lawsuit says Ralphs broke the law by asking job-seekers about their criminal histories
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
From 'Barbie' to 'Rebel Moon,' here are 15 movies you need to stream right now
More patients are losing their doctors – and their trust in the primary care system
Mexico’s president is willing to help with border migrant crush but wants US to open talks with Cuba