Man faces sentencing for attack on Madison Schemitz and her mother

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Court TV) – A Florida man faces 18 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend and her mother.

FILE – Spencer Pearson (St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office)

Spencer Ross Pearson, 20, was arrested in June 2023 for stabbing Madison Schemitz and her mother, Jaclyn Rogé, outside a Ponte Vedra Beach restaurant. Schemitz, who was 17 at the time, was temporarily paralyzed after being stabbed more than a dozen times.

MORE | FL teenager paralyzed after being stabbed 15 times by ex-boyfriend

Pearson had been harassing his ex-girlfriend for months, according to an arrest warrant. The attack happened as the mother and daughter tried to leave the restaurant after seeing Pearson. Kennedy Armstrong, a bystander, was injured in the attack while trying to help Schemitz.

A warrant said Pearson also “cut his own throat multiple times and told witnesses he was trying to kill himself.”

Schemitz has documented his recovery social media and advocates for victims of domestic violence. Schemitz has also worked with the family of Tristyn Bailey, who was killed by Aidan Fucci in 2021.

In July, Pearson pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. His sentencing is scheduled for November 22.

Several witnesses are expected to testify at Pearson’s sentencing, including the victims.

After the case, prosecutors and the sheriff’s office are expected to hold a news conference where they Carnegie Medal will be presented to Smoke and Armstrong.