Sentencing of Florida Man Spencer Pearson Delayed Amid CTE Defense Claims

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Spencer Pearson, a 20-year-old who pleaded guilty to stabbing his ex-girlfriend Madison Schemitz, her mother, and a man who attempted to intervene, is facing potential sentencing delays. The defense intends to argue the possibility of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) resulting from Pearson’s history of playing tackle football as a mitigating factor in his sentencing.

Pearson, who admitted to the attack in July, was initially scheduled for sentencing in October. However, his attorney requested a postponement, citing new research that suggests CTE could possibly be diagnosed in living individuals. Typically, CTE is determined posthumously by examining the brain tissue. The defense argued for MRI investigations to support their claim.

CTE, linked to repeated head trauma, has been a subject of numerous legal defenses in violent crime cases involving former athletes. High-profile cases include NFL players like Phillip Adams and Aaron Hernandez, who both were diagnosed with CTE posthumously. Despite ongoing research, there remains no conclusive method to diagnose CTE in living patients, according to the CTE Center at Boston University.

In a motion submitted to the court, Pearson’s attorney linked the frequency of CTE diagnoses among football players, indicating a significant portion had only played the sport through high school. The overcommitment to football and subsequent neurological issues form the crux of the defense’s argument.

In addition to charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery, Pearson had also attempted to harm himself during the attack. The incident occurred on June 3 outside Mr. Chubby’s Wings in Ponte Vedra Beach.

The courtroom has seen testimonies about the events leading to the attack, including details of Pearson’s prior harassment of Schemitz. During sentencing proceedings, Pearson’s father emotionally apologized to the victims and the public, while a neurologist testified about potential brain injuries affecting Pearson’s behavior.

Pearson’s legal options appear limited as prior CTE defenses, like those in the trials of Kenneth Manzanares and Kellen Winslow, have generally seen limited success. Pearson’s attorney remains hopeful that future advancements in living diagnosis could lend more weight to the argument.