Wampsville — Stephen Schumejda, 32, the man charged with killing Cazenovia native Amy Bradstreet, 44, at their East Lake Road residence on Labor Day 2014 has plead guilty to first-degree manslaughter and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, both felonies, and will spend more than 25 years in state prison.
Schumejda appeared in Madison County Court on Dec. 10, during which he admitted to killing Bradstreet but said he did not know it was her at the time. He admitted in court that after stabbing what he thought was an intruder in his home multiple times, he gathered the couple’s two children, ages 2 and 4 at the time, and drove Bradstreet’s car to his mother’s home in Delaware County, where he was later arrested.
Schumejda was originally charged with murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree committed during a domestic incident.
Schumejda’s admission of his crime in open court was part of an agreed-upon plea deal with the Madison County District Attorney’s Office, said Madison County District Attorney Bill Gabor. The conviction on manslaughter in the first degree carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in state prison plus five years post-release supervision, while the conviction for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle carries a sentence of 1 1/2 to 4 1/2 years to be served consecutively.
“So in essence he will receive 26 1/2 to 29 1/2 years in state prison, followed by post-release supervision,” said Gabor. “We sought the [motor vehicle] charge simply to increase his time.”
An order of protection was filed against Schumejda in the names of his two children, and he waived his right to appeal the convictions, Gabor said.
“The Bradstreet family was very much involved, being advised of the status of the case, providing significant input of the disposition they thought to be in the interests of justice … hearing him acknowledge what he did and get absolute closure,” Gabor said. “The family was totally on board with this disposition and is glad of the result, although they are very emotional and sad at the loss of their daughter.”
continued — Amy Bradstreet’s parents, brother and sister were all present in the courtroom for Schumejda’s appearance, Gabor said.
Roger Bradstreet, Amy’s father who also serves as Nelson town supervisor, declined to comment.
“I’m glad the case is done for the victims, the family and the community, not that Amy will ever be forgotten,” said Cazenovia Police Chief Michael Hayes, who is also personal friends with the Bradstreet family. “Hopefully we can now begin and continue to move forward.”
The 2014 crime originally occurred between 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, and 7 a.m. Monday, Sept. 1, in the Bradstreet/ Schumejda residence at 4481 East Lake Road. Early investigation results suggested that Bradstreet and Schumejda had some sort of argument, at the end of which Bradstreet ended up being killed. Schumejda was arrested by state police and arraigned in Cazenovia Town Court on Sept. 2, 2014, after which he was ordered held in Madison County Jail on no bail. He was indicted in March.
Schumejda has been in county jail since his arrest and was remanded back there after his Dec. 10 court appearance. His sentencing his tentatively scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Feb. 16, 2016, Gabor said.
