23-year-old Sydney Powell murders Mother over College secret

23-year-old Sydney Powell was found guilty of the murder of her mother, Brenda Powell, 50, in a horrifying incident that unfolded in March 2020. Powell, a former student of Mount Union University, was convicted of murder, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence by the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office.

The gruesome details of the crime came to light during the trial, where it was revealed that in March 2020, Powell had brutally attacked her mother, striking her in the head with an iron skillet and subsequently stabbing her nearly 30 times in the neck.

The motive behind this heinous act was a deeply concealed secret – Sydney Powell had been expelled from college.

Sydney Powell, who sobbed in the Summit County Common Pleas courtroom upon hearing the verdict, now faces the possibility of a maximum sentence of life behind bars with a chance of parole after 15 years.

The tragic incident took place in the family home, where both mother and daughter were found with severe injuries on March 3, 2020. Brenda Powell, a dedicated healthcare worker serving as a child life specialist at Akron Children’s Hospital, succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.

During the trial, the defense argued that Sydney Powell suffered from schizophrenia, asserting that she should not be held fully accountable for her actions.

Three defense experts, including James Reardon, supported this diagnosis, claiming that Sydney had experienced a psychotic break during the murder, despite considering her mother her best friend.

On the other hand, Sylvia O’Bradovich, a psychologist hired by the prosecution, contested this diagnosis, stating that Sydney did not meet the legal definition of insanity at the time of the crime.

O’Bradovich acknowledged Sydney’s mental health issues, which included borderline personality traits, malingering, and an anxiety disorder.

Amid the tragic proceedings, Sydney Powell’s father, Steven Powell, and her maternal grandmother, Betsy Brown, had initially urged prosecutors to reach a resolution without going to trial. However, the prosecution insisted on a jury trial to determine Sydney’s fate.

Assistant Prosecutor Brian Stano shed light on the chilling details of the crime during the trial. He pointed out that Sydney had initially attacked her mother with a frying pan and then, seemingly with a deliberate intent, switched to a knife to continue the assault.

Stano argued that Sydney’s actions were driven by her desperation to protect her secret from being exposed.

The sentencing for Sydney Powell has been scheduled for September 28.