A 33-year-old Thousand Oaks woman pleaded not guilty to one count of involuntary homicide and five other counts on Wednesday in connection to the murder of a Newhall resident on Memorial Day 2018.
Bryn Spejcher was arrested on May 28, 2018, after deputies with the Thousand Oaks Police Department responded to a disturbance call on Meagan Place in Thousand Oaks and found Chad Omelia, a 26-year-old Newhall resident at the time, deceased.
According to a news release in 2018 by Capt. Garo Kuredjian, Omelia was found with multiple stab wounds.
“In addition to Omelia, deputies discovered a female inside the residence with significant injuries that required immediate medical attention,” Kuredjian said at the time.
The woman, Spejcher, was transported to a local hospital and was treated for injuries described as “self-inflicted stab wounds,” according to 2018 reports in The Signal.
Kuredjian confirmed that the two were in a romantic relationship.
Spejcher’s most recent court appearance took place on Thursday, when arraignment was waived, a plea of not guilty was entered to all counts and the defendant denied any and all priors and special allegations associated to the case.
Spejcher pleaded not guilty to one count of involuntary homicide.
Spejcher denied all of the following charges, as detailed by California Legislative Information:
- 12022(b)(1) PC – A person who personally uses a deadly or dangerous weapon in the commission of a felony or attempted felony shall be punished by an additional and consecutive term of imprisonment in the state prison for one year, unless use of a deadly or dangerous weapon is an element of that offense.
- 1192.7(c)(8) PC – As used in this section, “serious felony” means any of the following, any felony in which the defendant personally inflicts great bodily injury on any person, other than an accomplice, or any felony in which the defendant personally uses a firearm.
- 4.421(a)(1) CRC – Factors relating to the crime, whether or not charged or chargeable as enhancements include that the crime involved great violence, great bodily harm, threat of great bodily harm, or other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness, or callousness.
- 4.421(b)(1) CRC – Factors relating to the defendant include that the defendant has engaged in violent conduct that indicates a serious danger to society.
- 4.421(a)(2) CRC – Circumstances in aggravation include factors relating to the crime and factors relating to the defendant. Factors relating to the crime, whether or not charged or chargeable as enhancements include that the defendant was armed with or used a weapon at the time of the commission of the crime.
Spejcher is scheduled to appear for a jury trial on Oct. 23 in Ventura.
Initial reporting in 2018 by Jim Holt.
