Two years ago, Kandee Collind was enduring a contentious custody battle when she learned her ex-husband, Scott Weyland, had obtained primary custody of their two young children. Collind then raced over to Weyland’s house and stabbed him to death in front of their children. Last week, Collind was sentenced to 32 years in prison.
According to The Journal Tribune, the Acton, Maine couple began fighting about the custody when it escalated and Collind stabbed Weyland in the chest. After the incident, her young children dialed 911 from the back of the car.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Mom-of-Four Linda Holguin Brutally Murdered by Ex-Boyfriend in Front of Her Family, Including Children
When police arrived at the scene, Collind was attempting to revive her ex-husband. She told the police that after she stabbed him in the heart, Weyland pulled out the knife. An autopsy confirmed Weyland died from a stab wound to the heart.
Collind was taken into custody and pleaded guilty in August 2018, though she told her lawyer she wanted to withdraw her plea only days later. She asked to withdraw her plea again months later as well. Collind allegedly told her lawyer that she forgot to take her psychological medication the day she pled guilty. As a result, she claimed she didn’t understand all the details of the murder charge.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Baltimore Mom Charged After Burning 4-Year-Old Son in Scalding Bath, Taking a Lyft to Dump His Remains
Her lawyer submitted a motion to withdraw her plea, saying to the judge, “She has struggled to understand the application of this defense to the elements of the murder. She has maintained throughout the case that she was not in her normal state of mind when these events occurred. This is essentially an assertion of innocence.”
The motion, though, was turned down by Assistant Attorney General Megan Elam, who said, “The defendant has now whiplashed those children with her new request to proceed to trial. This manipulation of these minor children, who were present for the murder of their father and are likely trial witnesses, causes prejudice to the state’s ability to present those witnesses and potentially other witnesses as well.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Dad Killed Wife Following Fight, Then Allegedly Murdered Their 4 Children Over the Next Two Weeks
Collind’s case did not go to trial. She sat before the court last Monday when she was sentenced to 32 years in prison.
Collind showed remorse for her crime and concern for the well-being of her two children. “The kids, I started to think what kind of problems they’re going to have when they’re older,” she said in court, WGME reported. “What mental problems have I caused them? What are they going to become? What have I done?”
The Weyland family spoke at court as well, saying, “I truly hope that you think about all the action, all the lives that you’ve changed and by your careless actions. You took an amazing father and beautiful man away from his children,” Weyland’s cousin, Crystal Bernis-Tobias said.
Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.