Brenda Powell: OH v Sydney Powell for 2020 murder of mother *GUILTY*

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I haven't followed the trial- I think it was the last state's witness testimony that I listened to just last night- but I hope to catch up since I think it's a very interesting case, mainly because the defendant's pled insanity.
 
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I've been seeing that some of the YTers I watch with crime have been covering this. I haven't listened to any as I don't even have the time to keep up with those I do follow or know of but I do try to read current crime threads here and at least keep up with that so I have been curious about the case, know little about it or what it even is about so if you want to share what you know or learn, I will certainly come in to read it.

You started a thread so I'm hoping I will learn of it just by reading the posts from you and others here.

I don't even know what it is about. So who is on trial and what did they do?
 
GrandmaBear said:
I've been seeing that some of the YTers I watch with crime have been covering this. I haven't listened to any as I don't even have the time to keep up with those I do follow or know of but I do try to read current crime threads here and at least keep up with that so I have been curious about the case, know little about it or what it even is about so if you want to share what you know or learn, I will certainly come in to read it.

You started a thread so I'm hoping I will learn of it just by reading the posts from you and others here.

I don't even know what it is about. So who is on trial and what did they do?
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In a nutshell, a daughter had been living a lie and just when the mother was about to be informed of the truth, the daughter attacked her with a cast iron skillet and a steak knife. As I understand it, it was an especially violent attack with repeated blows with the skillet and about two dozen stab wounds.
When I started the thread, I thought all trial testimony was available but apparently, it isn't nor will be so I kinda regret even starting the thread.
 
Wow. That's brutal. I am assuming the daughter was a minor at the time?

Don't regret the thread, it is a case and a big one the way it sounds. It will be here over time to discuss. I've seen headlines about it but have had no time to follow or even see what it is about. I assumed it was being tried and televised or something. The ones covering it must be talking of something or there must be some info.

So what do you mean it isn't available, are they not doing it live? Even then reporters generally attend (if big news) and report the day's testimony, etc.
 
GrandmaBear said:
Wow. That's brutal. I am assuming the daughter was a minor at the time?

Don't regret the thread, it is a case and a big one the way it sounds. It will be here over time to discuss. I've seen headlines about it but have had no time to follow or even see what it is about. I assumed it was being tried and televised or something. The ones covering it must be talking of something or there must be some info.

So what do you mean it isn't available, are they not doing it live? Even then reporters generally attend (if big news) and report the day's testimony, etc.
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I think she was 19. She started her freshman year in 2018 but by the end of 2019, she'd been suspended yet carried on as though she was still attending.
What's mindboggling to me is that she never expressed to anyone that she was having any sort of difficulty with anything, not even to her best friend-since- high school/dorm roommate.
Anyway, so far, I've only been able to find the opening statements and the testimonies from 3 individuals (a detective, a college admin. and the father).
If you have time to watch the video below, you'll gain a lot of insight from the testimony of her father. (Heartbreaking! I feel so sorry for him!)
 
Regina said:
I think she was 19. She started her freshman year in 2018 but by the end of 2019, she'd been suspended yet carried on as though she was still attending.
What's mindboggling to me is that she never expressed to anyone that she was having any sort of difficulty with anything, not even to her best friend-since- high school/dorm roommate.
Anyway, so far, I've only been able to find the opening statements and the testimonies from 3 individuals (a detective, a college admin. and the father).
If you have time to watch the video below, you'll gain a lot of insight from the testimony of her father. (Heartbreaking! I feel so sorry for him!)
Click to expand...

There are a few cases I have fuzzy recall on where the child was faking that they were still attending college. And ended up murdering the parents or some such. Odd that that would be their answer to it if one thinks about it.

So you have found some testimony? Have you checked like Law and Crime or Court TV to see if there is coverage? Or maybe like Daybell it is being shared a day or so after the testimony?

I will watch this later if I get a chance. I get little time but the little I get lately if I go to watch something, I am finding little to nothing on the ones I follow (cases) and all are on the escaped prisoner or on this one, etc. both of which I know nothing about. I guess maybe I should add a new one that there is news on like this one. Problem is I will never be able to watch it all or probably get up on it all. That's why I like the good YTers who give a total overview of a case in one show and have done the deep dive and research. I prefer to be up on it all myself and watch everything but when life allows no time, I just can't. and count on a good show to do it for me.
 
www.courttv.com

OH v. Sydney Powell: Mother Stabbed Murder Trial

UPDATE: A judge has sentenced Sydney Powell to 15 years to life for the the fatal stabbing of her mother in the family's home.
www.courttv.com www.courttv.com

OH v. Sydney Powell: Daily Trial Updates​

DAY 1 – 9/7/23
  • Prosecutors contend Sydney lied when she told police and her father that there had been a break-in at the house, yet another lie Sydney told after deceiving her parents for months about her enrollment at Mount Union University. Bodycam footage from responding officers capture a disheveled Sydney telling them that there was a noise, that her mother told her to run, and that when she heard screaming, she came back into the house, and found her mother on the floor. Prosecutors contend she broke one of the windows in the back of the house to stage the crime scene to make it look as though a break-in had occurred.
  • The defense concedes that Sydney killed her mother, but she was in the throes of a psychotic break at the time and could not appreciate the wrongfulness of her actions. Since the attack, defense attorney Donald Malarcik told jurors that Sydney has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and receiving treatment with good results.
  • The defendant’s father Steven Powell took the witness stand and became emotional while identifying members of his family in photos, before they were torn apart by the murder of his wife at the hands of their daughter.
    • WATCH: Mother Stabbed Murder Trial: Sydney Powell’s Dad Testifies
    • Under direct examination by prosecutors, Powell took jurors through the ordeal of learning that his daughter Sydney had been expelled from Mount Union University. He said he called his wife to have her handle the crisis with Sydney, since as a child-life specialist for an Akron Pediatric Hospital, she was better skilled at dealing with such matters. Brenda Powell was practiced at de-escalating traumatic, emotionally charged situations and it appeared Sydney was not coping well having lied to him about being in school when in fact she had been suspended for academic failure.
    • Powell described the mother-daughter relationship as “very close” and that the two had an unbreakable bond. He testified that Sydney had never been violent in the past.
    • He also testified that before Sydney told him about the expulsion, he had wondered about why the University had not withdrawn his tuition payment and that he could not log into the University’s portal to check on his payment status. When he asked Sydney about it, she told him that it was the University’s error. When he finally learned the truth – he told Sydney they would be able to work this out, and that she should not run away from her problems. He went back to work, leaving before Brenda got home.
    • Powell said he later received a call from his friend Kenneth Diese who was also a detective telling him that he heard police units had been dispatched to his home and asked if everything was ok. The call prompted Steven to call Sydney and Brenda. He agreed with the prosecutor that when he spoke to Sydney, she became hysterical and told him that there had been a break-in.
  • Friends and coworkers testify Sydney and Brenda Powell had a very close relationship and that they are shocked when they learn Sydney is being charged with murder in her mother’s death.

DAY 2 – 9/8/23
  • Two Mount Union school officials testified that they heard what sounded like an attack while they were on the phone with the defendant’s mother Brenda Powell and then a minute or so later heard Sydney Powell answer their call-back posing as her mother.
  • Michelle Gaffney and John Frazier school officials from Mount Union University where the defendant had been going to school, testified that Sydney Powell was suspended after she failed 3 of her 4 classes in the fall semester of December 2019. Powell continued to attend sorority meetings and classes despite receiving written notice of her expulsion, prompting Gaffney and Frazier to meet with her to personally inform her that she would need to move out of her dorm and her access key card would be terminated.
  • WATCH: Mother Stabbed Murder Trial: Day 2
  • The school administrators said Powell understood that she had to move out but refused their help in discussing her suspension with her parents and told them that her parents were aware of her situation. It was only after Powell’s third meeting with them on February 24th, that she then did move out.
  • On March 3rd, the school received a call from Brenda Powell wanting to discuss Sydney’s suspension. They testified that they called Brenda and soon after greeting one another, they heard repeated thuds and screaming. The sounds were alarming both testified that it sounded like an attack. Frazier testified that about a minute and a half after the ‘ruckus’ and the call ended, he tried calling back and on his third attempt, Sydney answered the phone pretending to be her mother. She hung up after they called her out, and they promptly called police to the Powell home.
  • On cross John Frazer testified that Brenda appeared calm and did not appear to be in the midst of an argument with Sydney and agreed the assault took him off guard.
  • The attack on Brenda Powell was violent, she suffered at least 23 stab wounds, mainly to the neck and several blows to the back of the head, which caused the skin on her scalp to be broken. Pictures of her wounds taken at autopsy also showed cuts and bruising to her face arms and hands. Forensic pathologist, Dr. John Schott concluded Powell died because of multiple blunt and sharp force injuries.
  • The defendant’s roommate Lauren Currie testified that the two have been best friends since high school, and hit it off so well, they lived together on campus when they went on to attend Mount Union University.
    • Currie described Sydney as social, charismatic and ‘bubbly.’ She did not notice anything amiss while they were living together, except that Sydney’s key card didn’t work for a time and that she learned of Sydney’s poor academic performance after she recommended her for a mentor role with the sorority. For the most part she thought Sydney was doing well. During the summer break between their freshman and sophomore year, she said they spent time together at home, going to the mall, and doing things they normally did.
    • Currie testified that in late February Sydney told her she would be moving away from campus, taking a break to figure things out. The next time she saw her again was on March 2nd, at the sorority’s “Bachelor” viewing party. Currie observed nothing amiss then either, testifying Sydney was her ‘normal bubbly’ self. Currie said she did not notice anything like blackouts.
    • On cross by Don Malarcik Currie agreed that Sydney experienced anxiety during her high school years, and that she had told a detective that the defendant did not deal well with stress and that her anxiety got worse after she started college.
    • Also, on cross Currie agreed that Sydney studied hard and did not party or get drunk while they were at Mount Union. She also agreed that Sydney was spending more time alone and on March 2nd she was ‘pretending’ that things were normal.
DAY 3 – 9/11/23
  • Prosecutors rested their case-in-chief after calling their lead detective to the witness stand to testify that within days of killing her mother, Sydney was texting her reassurances that she was fine, and that her grades were good.
  • In a text message dated February 25, Brenda wrote, “Why do I always feel like you’re scamming me, just remember you need the grades to keep your scholarship.”
  • Lead investigator David Whiddon testified that they also recovered hotel searches in late February. Sydney stayed in hotels for several days and paid cash all to avoid going home after she was evicted from her dorm. Whiddon said he found no evidence that Sydney was suffering mental health issues.
  • On March 3rd, her parents discovered the truth, when her father Steven Powell couldn’t access the portal to pay her tuition. Powell confronted Sydney about it – and learned that she had been suspended. Her mother Brenda had come home to discuss the matter with her and was attacked while on the phone with school administrators.
  • Prosecutors allege that Sydney had the presence of mind to stage the crime scene after she killed her mother. Investigator David Boerner said blood found on the outside of the door near the broken window suggests she broke the window only after a ‘blood shedding’ event. She told police that there had been a break-in and her mother told her to get out.
  • Defense Attorney Don Malarcik played for jurors a mash of Sydney’s behavior after police arrived on the scene. She was erratic and hysterical initially but then when ground, she lay there in the fetal position catatonic and appeared unable to respond to questions. Sydney Powell has pled not guilty by reason of insanity.
 
www.courttv.com

OH v. Sydney Powell: Mother Stabbed Murder Trial

UPDATE: A judge has sentenced Sydney Powell to 15 years to life for the the fatal stabbing of her mother in the family's home.
www.courttv.com www.courttv.com

OH v. Sydney Powell: Daily Trial Updates​

DAY 4 – 9/13/23
  • The first of several psychological experts who evaluated the defendant took the witness stand Wednesday to tell jurors that Sydney Powell was experiencing a psychotic break and could not appreciate the wrongfulness of her actions when she bludgeoned and stabbed her mother to death in March of 2020.
  • Dr. James Reardon evaluated Powell in the fall of 2021 and diagnosed her with schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. Reardon said Powell told him that she did not recall the attack, and only remembered flashes. Her last memory of her mother was that they were sitting on the couch, and she was comforting her. She recalled going up and down the stairs of their basement, wanting to get away. According to Reardon that was the extent of her recollection of the assault, her next memory was being at the hospital.
    • WATCH: Psychologist Describes Sydney Powell: ‘One of the Most Severe Cases’
    • Reardon testified that Powell was deteriorating and losing her grip on reality in the three months leading up to the attack. Her lies to her parents about being enrolled in Mount Union attending classes when she had been suspended were an alternate reality that she lived because her failure was inconsistent with how she viewed herself, therefore she denied what was really going on in her life hoping she could make the falsehood a true reality, according to Reardon.
    • On cross by prosecutor Brian Stano, Reardon agreed that it was rare that sufferers of schizophrenia act out violently, and even rarer still that such patients report symptoms before the age of 13. Reardon had noted in his assessment that Powell told him she had experienced auditory hallucinations when she was as young as 11. Reardon agreed that schizophrenia does not give one a pass in the commission of a crime.
    • Prosecutor Brian Stano noted that some of the mental health professionals who saw Sydney in the days following the murder did not rule out malingering. He also noted in her hospital records that she initially said that she had no memory of who had stitched up her hand but then later recalled that a male resident stitched her up.
    • Reardon’s opined that the most relevant evidence was the attack itself, all taking place within 3.5 minutes. The start of the incident marked by the phone call to Brenda Powell at 12:36:45 and then the follow up phone call in which Sydney answered pretending to be her mother at 12:40:15. Reardon testified that the lack of motive, spontaneity and brutality of the attack were all factors that suggested Powell was in the throes of a psychotic break.
    • On cross the prosecutor pointed to two significant events during the 3.5 minutes attack – Stano noted that Sydney had the presence of mind to go outside of the house to break the window and later tell cops that an intruder was to blame, and she used two weapons during the attack, retrieving a knife after bludgeoning her mother with a cast iron frying pan.
    • Reardon explained that while she had lost touch with reality, she was still trying to make sense of what was senseless and felt like she had to get away, but by the time of the attack – Reardon opined that she was incapable of reasonable thought.
    • Reardon explained that her psychotic break was one of the most severe that he had ever seen in his 46 years of practice.
  • Testifying for the defense, Powell’s grandmother, Elizabeth recalled that after a few months of medication Sydney got better, and with tweaks to her medication she showed a marked improvement. She testified that Sydney came to live with her and continues to live on her grandparent’s farm.
  • Amanda Brown, no relation to Elizabeth Brown testified there were signs of Sidney’s struggle to cope with stress and anxiety when they were in high school. The registered nurse who used to work with psychiatric patients said she noticed signs that Sydney was gradually isolating herself more while in college but agreed with the State that the signs she exhibited was not concerning enough to tell the defendant’s mother, or authorities at the school.
DAY 5 – 9/14/23
  • The judge noted for the record that Sydney Powell has requested to be excused from the courtroom. Powell agreed, and this marked this first time her voice was heard in the courtroom.
  • Sydney’s former English teacher described her as a standout student and wrote a letter recommending her to the college where she ultimately failed.
    • WATCH: English Teacher Describes Sydney Powell in High School
    • Milligan taught Sydney for three years while she attended St. Vincents High School.
    • Milligan described an incident in which Sydney, accompanied by a friend, came to her distressed and crying because she ‘could not see the numbers.’ The situation was resolved when a teacher agreed to give Sydney a test at another time. Milligan said that she did not report the incident to school officials and that she never observed mental health issues in Sydney that would have caused enough concern to contact her parents.
  • Dr. Thomas Swale, a neuropsychologist, testified that Sydney was out of her mind and experiencing psychosis when she attacked her mother.
    • Swale was asked to evaluate Powell in July of 2023 to determine whether she was insane at the time of the murder. After reviewing her medical records, Swale diagnosed Sydney with schizoaffective disorder bipolar type and opined that she was in an acute psychotic state at the time of the murder.
    • Swale said that Sydney suffered schizophrenic symptoms until May 2020, and then for four months after that she experienced suicidal ideation. Sweale said that he administered a series of tests to rule out malingering and at an earlier evaluation in 2021 he ruled out epilepsy or neurological impairment as having caused the criminal conduct.
    • Lack of motive for the attack on her mother helped persuade Swale that Sydney was insane and could not tell right from wrong at the time of the murder.
 
SheWhoMustNotBeNamed said:
www.courttv.com

OH v. Sydney Powell: Mother Stabbed Murder Trial

UPDATE: A judge has sentenced Sydney Powell to 15 years to life for the the fatal stabbing of her mother in the family's home.
www.courttv.com www.courttv.com

OH v. Sydney Powell: Daily Trial Updates​

DAY 4 – 9/13/23
  • The first of several psychological experts who evaluated the defendant took the witness stand Wednesday to tell jurors that Sydney Powell was experiencing a psychotic break and could not appreciate the wrongfulness of her actions when she bludgeoned and stabbed her mother to death in March of 2020.
  • Dr. James Reardon evaluated Powell in the fall of 2021 and diagnosed her with schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. Reardon said Powell told him that she did not recall the attack, and only remembered flashes. Her last memory of her mother was that they were sitting on the couch, and she was comforting her. She recalled going up and down the stairs of their basement, wanting to get away. According to Reardon that was the extent of her recollection of the assault, her next memory was being at the hospital.
    • WATCH: Psychologist Describes Sydney Powell: ‘One of the Most Severe Cases’
    • Reardon testified that Powell was deteriorating and losing her grip on reality in the three months leading up to the attack. Her lies to her parents about being enrolled in Mount Union attending classes when she had been suspended were an alternate reality that she lived because her failure was inconsistent with how she viewed herself, therefore she denied what was really going on in her life hoping she could make the falsehood a true reality, according to Reardon.
    • On cross by prosecutor Brian Stano, Reardon agreed that it was rare that sufferers of schizophrenia act out violently, and even rarer still that such patients report symptoms before the age of 13. Reardon had noted in his assessment that Powell told him she had experienced auditory hallucinations when she was as young as 11. Reardon agreed that schizophrenia does not give one a pass in the commission of a crime.
    • Prosecutor Brian Stano noted that some of the mental health professionals who saw Sydney in the days following the murder did not rule out malingering. He also noted in her hospital records that she initially said that she had no memory of who had stitched up her hand but then later recalled that a male resident stitched her up.
    • Reardon’s opined that the most relevant evidence was the attack itself, all taking place within 3.5 minutes. The start of the incident marked by the phone call to Brenda Powell at 12:36:45 and then the follow up phone call in which Sydney answered pretending to be her mother at 12:40:15. Reardon testified that the lack of motive, spontaneity and brutality of the attack were all factors that suggested Powell was in the throes of a psychotic break.
    • On cross the prosecutor pointed to two significant events during the 3.5 minutes attack – Stano noted that Sydney had the presence of mind to go outside of the house to break the window and later tell cops that an intruder was to blame, and she used two weapons during the attack, retrieving a knife after bludgeoning her mother with a cast iron frying pan.
    • Reardon explained that while she had lost touch with reality, she was still trying to make sense of what was senseless and felt like she had to get away, but by the time of the attack – Reardon opined that she was incapable of reasonable thought.
    • Reardon explained that her psychotic break was one of the most severe that he had ever seen in his 46 years of practice.
  • Testifying for the defense, Powell’s grandmother, Elizabeth recalled that after a few months of medication Sydney got better, and with tweaks to her medication she showed a marked improvement. She testified that Sydney came to live with her and continues to live on her grandparent’s farm.
  • Amanda Brown, no relation to Elizabeth Brown testified there were signs of Sidney’s struggle to cope with stress and anxiety when they were in high school. The registered nurse who used to work with psychiatric patients said she noticed signs that Sydney was gradually isolating herself more while in college but agreed with the State that the signs she exhibited was not concerning enough to tell the defendant’s mother, or authorities at the school.
DAY 5 – 9/14/23
  • The judge noted for the record that Sydney Powell has requested to be excused from the courtroom. Powell agreed, and this marked this first time her voice was heard in the courtroom.
  • Sydney’s former English teacher described her as a standout student and wrote a letter recommending her to the college where she ultimately failed.
    • WATCH: English Teacher Describes Sydney Powell in High School
    • Milligan taught Sydney for three years while she attended St. Vincents High School.
    • Milligan described an incident in which Sydney, accompanied by a friend, came to her distressed and crying because she ‘could not see the numbers.’ The situation was resolved when a teacher agreed to give Sydney a test at another time. Milligan said that she did not report the incident to school officials and that she never observed mental health issues in Sydney that would have caused enough concern to contact her parents.
  • Dr. Thomas Swale, a neuropsychologist, testified that Sydney was out of her mind and experiencing psychosis when she attacked her mother.
    • Swale was asked to evaluate Powell in July of 2023 to determine whether she was insane at the time of the murder. After reviewing her medical records, Swale diagnosed Sydney with schizoaffective disorder bipolar type and opined that she was in an acute psychotic state at the time of the murder.
    • Swale said that Sydney suffered schizophrenic symptoms until May 2020, and then for four months after that she experienced suicidal ideation. Sweale said that he administered a series of tests to rule out malingering and at an earlier evaluation in 2021 he ruled out epilepsy or neurological impairment as having caused the criminal conduct.
    • Lack of motive for the attack on her mother helped persuade Swale that Sydney was insane and could not tell right from wrong at the time of the murder.
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Wow. These posts really give an overview of a case I know little about. I did watch the dad's testimony with the prosecution on a break yesterday but never got back to it to watch cross.

I RARELY think mental health is an excuse and it seems she knew right from wrong, tried to cover her tracks, etc. BUT there just seems to be no reason for this reaction either, no history of problems, hatred between her and her mother, no reason for her to do this so I'm a bit thrown... If true that the parents said they would work it out, etc., what reason does she have to kill her mother? On the other hand, she staged the window and tried to cover. But it is also said once on medication she was a different person. I just don't know.

It isn't logical which is always a problem for me but I guess if she felt major pressure to keep a scholarship and do well, that could play in. It is said she wasn't partying or failing at school for any reason like that so I have to ask where did this come from? In watching a good part of her dad's testimony they showed her often sobbing, taking deep breaths, etc. but I couldn't decide if I bought it or not. Small screen, on my phone on a work break...

I can believe that her mother was unhappy with her and maybe coming down on her and calling the school was going to make her "lose" or be proven a liar... But what does killing mom accomplish with any of it or what was so bad? I think I am looking for logic where there isn't any...

I'm not sure what I think here learning these things. I didn't know the case at all. She is/was young. I don't doubt she regrets her actions BUT she still did this and it was horrendous. I think a little known talked about thing with females when young, etc. is the hormones and I think many of us forget how much that can do in mixed up younger years BUT that isn't even an excuse.

I rarely give it a chance or a sympathetic thought of it, but this may be the first case that I wonder if she didn't have some sort of break. But then the other side of me says NO, she overkilled and then she hid it. And she is just evil and knew what she was doing.

I tended to believe her tears, heaving, and deep breaths I'd think to calm herself when seeing her focused on during her dad's testimony but I'm not sure... It seemed legit to me at first but as it went on it seemed maybe contrived or put on...

I guess the reason I could believe she has some mental issue or had a break is it just doesn't make sense why she would have done this. Never had before, it wasn't the end of the world, killing mom would not fix any situation or benefit her or fix anything, etc.

Maybe in a juvenile immature mind set she though thought dad, who had to call mom to deal with it, would be easier to play an easy life wit if mom were gone??? That's the only thing I can think of...

Thank you for finding and posting this, gives me a great overview of the case and facts. I kind of wish I was up on it and had know it before but life isn't allowing me to keep up with much even if I had.

Anyhow, just thoughts.

I normally would figure there was a helicopter controlling parent and that is generally the case in some similar ones in the past. That they do well at school or else, or will be disciplined, that they succeed, that it costs money, don't blow it, etc. but does that lead to murder??? It causes I am sure an immense amount of stress and on a young mind/immature soul but...?

I can reach back into those years and have to remind myself at times how it can be or how one felt... I remember being immensely pressured by tests to the point o falling apart even in grade school. My parents certainly did not cause that. I am not sure what did. My teachers and the system and knowing or being told it was a big deal? My pressure on myself and not knowing it was not the end of the world or maybe feeling it would be? I don't know. But that doesn't explain anything even close to murdering a parent. I am just saying I can understand self pressure, anxiety, etc.

There really is no excuse. I am I guess talking this out here to myself on learning of the facts you posted. I cannot in my mind and life ever understand someone that kills, especially a family member, that isn't just a loss of their sh*t but goes on and on and changes weapons. I think I have talked and typed myself through it in talking as I think. It is flat out murder. Of her mother. No excuse.

It is a travesty though. And I do think she likely regrets it and the pain she caused her dad etc. MAYBE. My guess is she thought life would be good and easy with mom gone in a juvenile thought process. Dad said they'd work it out, she could take a year off, etc. What did mom say?
 
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Mel70 said:
In today's world. They all try some EXCUSE to get out of what they did.
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That's true. I am torn in this one though. I only got to watch half the dad's testimony and read all @SheWhoMustNotBeNamed posted here yesterday. I actually WISH I had time to watch all this one and the witnesses etc.

I just don't see the why here. There SEEMS to be no former issues, she had nothing to gain and so forth. I just can't quite fathom the why or the rage unless she really did have some break. BUT she did cover up or try to. You know me, normally I'd be 199,000 kazillion percent on her and at her. But I'd expect to see an adversarial relationship with mom, rough teenage years, maybe former trouble she'd gotten into, or hints of behavior problems or mental issues but I don't see any of that here at all.
Granted I haven't had time to watch or look into much of it and maybe I'd find my path to decide what I thought the reason, the why, see that she's just evil or something but I don't see any of that the bit I've watched and reading the really good coverage of it posted by Shewho.

You know I agree in almost all cases with you, that yep, just an excuse and NO that doesn't excuse the perp and what they did. I also watched her tears and heaving and I felt it genuine but then not sure at points and felt it over her dad being on the stand, talk of her mother, felt it empathy for him and what she caused him but I'm not sure of that either.

My best guess with knowing and seeing little is mom was more the disciplinarian and dad let her be. My guess is she was hard with questions, the cost of school, was calling the school and putting her foot down and telling her the free ride is over, living at home, bills paid, etc. maybe and she in her not adolescent but somewhat (young adult) way and feelings and rage LOST IT? Hating mom's control, feeling she could do nothing right? I don't know. That doesn't even explain it. Nothing does. I think that's my problem.

To read and lsiten, there were no issues with this girl through her life... I am not so old that i will ever forget that things at that age that seem minor now can seem like the end of the world to you at that age. It doesn't ever explain murder but I just mean a molehill seems like a mountain and the end of the world. You don't have the life experience to have been through things and know they will pass, it will get better, etc., you take things far more seriously.... That isn't even an adequate way to word my point and it still does not excuse or explain murdering her mother but I'm just lost on the reason here. It was soooo bad. It is either a mental break, pure unadulterated rage, fear or some such. WHY?

I'm not looking to excuse her but I am looking for what the heck happened and why? What the he77 triggered this?
 
GrandmaBear said:
That's true. I am torn in this one though. I only got to watch half the dad's testimony and read all @SheWhoMustNotBeNamed posted here yesterday. I actually WISH I had time to watch all this one and the witnesses etc.

I just don't see the why here. There SEEMS to be no former issues, she had nothing to gain and so forth. I just can't quite fathom the why or the rage unless she really did have some break. BUT she did cover up or try to. You know me, normally I'd be 199,000 kazillion percent on her and at her. But I'd expect to see an adversarial relationship with mom, rough teenage years, maybe former trouble she'd gotten into, or hints of behavior problems or mental issues but I don't see any of that here at all.
Granted I haven't had time to watch or look into much of it and maybe I'd find my path to decide what I thought the reason, the why, see that she's just evil or something but I don't see any of that the bit I've watched and reading the really good coverage of it posted by Shewho.

You know I agree in almost all cases with you, that yep, just an excuse and NO that doesn't excuse the perp and what they did. I also watched her tears and heaving and I felt it genuine but then not sure at points and felt it over her dad being on the stand, talk of her mother, felt it empathy for him and what she caused him but I'm not sure of that either.

My best guess with knowing and seeing little is mom was more the disciplinarian and dad let her be. My guess is she was hard with questions, the cost of school, was calling the school and putting her foot down and telling her the free ride is over, living at home, bills paid, etc. maybe and she in her not adolescent but somewhat (young adult) way and feelings and rage LOST IT? Hating mom's control, feeling she could do nothing right? I don't know. That doesn't even explain it. Nothing does. I think that's my problem.

To read and lsiten, there were no issues with this girl through her life... I am not so old that i will ever forget that things at that age that seem minor now can seem like the end of the world to you at that age. It doesn't ever explain murder but I just mean a molehill seems like a mountain and the end of the world. You don't have the life experience to have been through things and know they will pass, it will get better, etc., you take things far more seriously.... That isn't even an adequate way to word my point and it still does not excuse or explain murdering her mother but I'm just lost on the reason here. It was soooo bad. It is either a mental break, pure unadulterated rage, fear or some such. WHY?

I'm not looking to excuse her but I am looking for what the heck happened and why? What the he77 triggered this?
Click to expand...
OR...the family was good at covering up all the problems with her throughout her life to the point everybody thought everything was fine. I've seen this happen up close and personal too many times from enablers.
 
Guess Who said:
OR...the family was good at covering up all the problems with her throughout her life to the point everybody thought everything was fine. I've seen this happen up close and personal too many times from enablers.
Click to expand...
It could be. No doubt. I know exactly what you mean. To the point the same has, believe me, crossed my mind.

But even though juvenile records if there are any for instance, are private, her parents would know, LE would know, her friends would know, teachers would know like if she ever caused trouble at school, got into an altercation with her mom, etc. There is such a lack of anything from the bit I've seen anyhow... Even if it can't be brought up in court, others can talk and has anyone? Like online, friends, former classmates, etc.? That she had troubles or was trouble growing up, etc.?

I just don't know what I think in this one which you have to admit is rare for me.

I think had I followed it from the start and could watch all of the trial and had chatted about it over time, I'd have an opinion, but I don't have any of that to go by. I should watch Grizzly or someone that has done an all encompassing show on it but I just can't do that right now. As it is I find myself on here when I need to be getting other things done. I really need to stop and get with it. :(

I just get no down time to follow and chat or discuss and decompress. It sucks.
 
SheWhoMustNotBeNamed said:
www.courttv.com

OH v. Sydney Powell: Mother Stabbed Murder Trial

UPDATE: A judge has sentenced Sydney Powell to 15 years to life for the the fatal stabbing of her mother in the family's home.
www.courttv.com www.courttv.com

OH v. Sydney Powell: Daily Trial Updates​

DAY 1 – 9/7/23
Under direct examination by prosecutors, Powell took jurors through the ordeal of learning that his daughter Sydney had been expelled from Mount Union University. He said he called his wife to have her handle the crisis with Sydney, since as a child-life specialist for an Akron Pediatric Hospital, she was better skilled at dealing with such matters. Brenda Powell was practiced at de-escalating traumatic, emotionally charged situations and it appeared Sydney was not coping well having lied to him about being in school when in fact she had been suspended for academic failure.
He also testified that before Sydney told him about the expulsion, he had wondered about why the University had not withdrawn his tuition payment and that he could not log into the University’s portal to check on his payment status. When he asked Sydney about it, she told him that it was the University’s error. When he finally learned the truth – he told Sydney they would be able to work this out, and that she should not run away from her problems. He went back to work, leaving before Brenda got home.

DAY 2 – 9/8/23

On March 3rd, the school received a call from Brenda Powell wanting to discuss Sydney’s suspension.
Click to expand...
Info reported from Day 1 and 2 is inaccurate and I think it's vitally important to know precisely how events unfolded, that is, who knew what when.
At the time of the murder, neither parent was aware that Sydney wasn't enrolled. In his testimony, her father said it was his understanding that Sydney was still enrolled- still attending classes, still doing homework. The mother called the university to see about any problems but had to leave a message and it was when her call was returned that the murder occurred so no, she never learned that Sydney was not enrolled.
Indeed, it was that lie that was about to be exposed that triggered the attack.
 
Regina said:
Info reported from Day 1 and 2 is inaccurate and I think it's vitally important to know precisely how events unfolded, that is, who knew what when.
At the time of the murder, neither parent was aware that Sydney wasn't enrolled. In his testimony, her father said it was his understanding that Sydney was still enrolled- still attending classes, still doing homework. The mother called the university to see about any problems but had to leave a message and it was when her call was returned that the murder occurred so no, she never learned that Sydney was not enrolled.
Indeed, it was that lie that was about to be exposed that triggered the attack.
Click to expand...
I listened to her dad's testimony and he said he heard from the school she wasn't but that he had to ask her how long, etc. He then saw on their phone app that she was at home and intentionally went home without his phone to I guess confront her or see why she was home. So that's not true? He then said they needed to call her mom, mom was going to leave work to talk to her and he went back to work which he seemed to really regret. And it was the prosecution leading these questions and timeline. He had told Sydney they'd work it out, etc.

I'll agree it would make a LOT more sense if they didn't know yet and that is what Sydney was worried about however, I listened to his testimony, at least the prosecution part, that's all the time I had to listen to.

It has been boggling my mind what she had to kill over when they already knew or knew the big part, that she was not enrolled any longer.
 
Wow. The video this starts out with. I would guess it has been seen in court but of course I don't have time to watch it all and haven't watched this yet either other than the starting minutes of the cops and Sydnee.

 
She blurred more than the PD did to get past YT censors. Says she has 15 videos from Akron PD.
 
Okay. Watching that I have went one way then another way and then back to color me confused and not sure what to think.

Considering I've seen little and know little, the fact that others who have seen it all and more to date are not srue as well tells me a lot. I went from wishing I could watch this entire case to being glad I can't.

Apparently it is not an uncommon feeling from even those that know the case. Some think her guilty, some do not. Some feel her tears are real, some do not. I gather her family standing behind her as are others like a teacher and a friend, etc. who will be on for the defense...

I actually started feeling she was guilty and not insane, etc. and I kept that opinion even after hearing family would stand beside her, I felt you are nuts, you are enabling, etc. but then by the end I came back to I JUST DO NOT KNOW. Which, it sounds like, are where many are who aren't just strong and stubborn in one direction or another.

Right now if I had to give an opinion, I'd say guilty but it still makes little sense to me as it just seems there was no reason, nothing so bad, no history... I do NOT doubt she did this. And generally in all cases I feel those that do such heinous things are definitely guilty and know what they are doing but there's just something about it all that leaves me frustrated, irritated and unsure. Or as if something big is missing.

Probably me. My life is overpacked, overstressed and it never ends. Crime used to be my outlet. But this one is no outlet, it's irritating. I think it's me but then listening to Plunder it sounds like it is where most are at with it so maybe not.

I've seen as much as I'm likely able to see for some time to come again so I'll just have to look at info here and opinions when I get a moment.

I am still wondering what the parents knew on this day. And how that got confused AT trial no less???? @Regina
 
Regina said:
Info reported from Day 1 and 2 is inaccurate and I think it's vitally important to know precisely how events unfolded, that is, who knew what when.
At the time of the murder, neither parent was aware that Sydney wasn't enrolled. In his testimony, her father said it was his understanding that Sydney was still enrolled- still attending classes, still doing homework. The mother called the university to see about any problems but had to leave a message and it was when her call was returned that the murder occurred so no, she never learned that Sydney was not enrolled.
Indeed, it was that lie that was about to be exposed that triggered the attack.
Click to expand...
Much like in the Murdaugh case where he killed because his world built in lies, was being exposed. Backed into a corner with the lies.
 
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