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Man pleads guilty to stabbing ex-girlfriend 17 times at Ponte Vedra Beach restaurant

Madison Schemitz survived but was left partially paralyzed

Spencer Pearson, 18, booked in SJCO jail for attack at Ponte Vedra Restaurant (St. Johns County Sheriff's Office)

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The man charged with stabbing his ex-girlfriend 17 times outside a Ponte Vedra Beach restaurant a little over a year ago pleaded guilty Wednesday to three of the counts he faced.

Spencer Pearson was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder with a weapon for the stabbing of then-17-year-old Madison Schemitz and her mother and aggravated battery causing serious injury with a weapon.

Another person who stepped in to help the mother and daughter was also injured in the attack.

Surveillance video showing the attack outlined what occurred from the moments Pearson entered Mr. Chubby’s restaurant, to the attack in the parking lot.

Pearson’s sentencing is set for September.

Schemitz recently graduated from high school and walked across the stage, showing her strength and progress since the incident.

MORE| Teen who survived stabbing reveals attack left her paralyzed from the chest down, but she believes she’ll walk again

Madison Schemitz gives update on her condition from Brooks Rehabilitation (WJXT)

A month after the attack, Schemitz held a news conference, where she shared her story of survival for the first time, revealing that the attack had left her partially paralyzed. Despite all she had been through, Schemitz was in good spirits. Her mother, and her physical and occupational therapy team, friends, and loved ones were at her side.

Schemitz also started a One Love Foundation chapter at Ponte Vedra High School to spread awareness and education about the warning signs and behaviors of unhealthy relationships.


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