(Editor’s note: The following events and the victim’s background information are documented through Maddilyn Marcum’s account and supported by Marcum’s appeal of her 2016 case. Her appeal was denied.)
By Olivia Estep
On Dec. 31, 2013, Maddilyn Marcum attended a New Year’s Eve party at the residence of David and Debbie Long. The victim, Eric Schreiber, was also in attendance.
Marcum and Schreiber had met at a July 4 party in 2013. Marcum said that Schreiber made unwanted advances toward her at that party. Marcum avoided events at the Long’s residence between July 5 and New Year’s Eve due to her discomfort around Schreiber. She attended the Dec. 31 party to try to move past the previous incidents, Marcum said.
At the party, Schreiber behaved respectfully toward Marcum until she noticed a shift in his demeanor at midnight when he approached Marcum, wanting a New Year’s kiss, she said.
Marcum declined.
At about 5:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2014, Schreiber made physical advances while she was in the kitchen, Marcum said. She stated that Schreiber approached her from behind, placed his hands on her hips and pressed himself into her lower back. She pushed him away, retrieved knives from the kitchen counter and went outside.
While outside, she realized she had left her keys and cell phone inside on the couch. Marcum attempted to re-enter the house but was blocked by Schreiber who then attempted to kiss her, Marcum said.
Marcum said that she then ran into the yard, pursued by Schreiber and that she fell. She stated that Schreiber grabbed her, pinned her down and attempted to remove her pants. She used the knives and “flailed against” Schreiber, resulting in his death.
Marcum admitted to Schreiber’s wife, Vanessa, that she had killed Schreiber. Vanessa Schreiber called the police, who arrived at the scene around 7 a.m. Officers found Marcum inside the Longs’ residence, washing blood off her hands and arms. They discovered Schreiber’s body on the back lawn with 72 stab wounds.
Marcum showed no defensive wounds and witnesses at the Longs’ residence have stated that she admitted to stabbing Schreiber.
A jury convicted Marcum of murder on Aug. 3, 2015, and the court sentenced her to 40 years in prison with the possibility of parole at 20 years.
Resources:
https://law.justia.com/cases/kentucky/supreme-court/2016/2015-sc-000451-mr.html