MARTINEZ, Calif. — A 29-year-old man from Oakland received a life sentence without the possibility of parole after a series of dramatic courtroom events, including his own admission of multiple personalities that contributed to violent behavior, including the stabbing of his defense attorney.
Ramello Randle, who was convicted of the murder of his ex-girlfriend amidst a tumultuous custody dispute, provided a peculiar defense citing his struggles with alternate personas named “Mello” and “Ashton.” During a psychological evaluation, Randle described ‘Ashton’ as responsible for his more harmful decisions, including the attack on his lawyer using a pen.
This incident occurred during his trial for the murder of Jonaye Lahkel Bridge, a 24-year-old woman who was killed in her car at a convenience store in Antioch by Randle, who had secretly placed a tracking device on her vehicle. The violent outburst also injured another man present in the car at the time of the attack but he survived.
The psychologist, Dr. Martin H. Williams, hired to assess Randle by the injured attorney, ultimately reported that Randle’s claims about his alter egos lacked credibility. The psychologist expressed skepticism about how Randle could know of ‘Ashton’s’ actions if they occurred during supposed blackouts, concluding that the narrative was logically inconsistent.
Randle’s legal challenges were compounded after he took a swing at another lawyer and experienced a loss of self-representation rights following outbursts in court where he cursed out the judge and prosecution, leading to a mistrial. Despite this, his subsequent court-appointed attorney, Matthew Fregi, was then stabbed by Randle in a shocking moment witnessed by jurors during the renewed proceedings.
The trial continued, deteriorating further when Randle apparently threatened to murder the entire jury if they returned a guilty verdict. This claim was reported by several sources present during the allegation. After his conviction for murder and lying in wait, Randle attempted another legal maneuver, arguing in a handwritten motion that a life sentence without parole was excessive and discriminatory.
Nevertheless, Judge John Kennedy dismissed these claims and upheld the life sentence, and Randle was transferred to North Kern State Prison as of late last month.
Throughout Randle’s trials and the resulting media coverage, legal experts and psychologists have highlighted the complexities of defense strategies involving mental health, particularly the use of multiple personality claims. Such defenses often create dramatic courtroom scenarios but are met with skepticism both legally and scientifically unless substantiated with compelling and consistent evidence.
As the dust settles on this emotive and violent case, the spotlight on psychological defenses in criminal trials remains, raising ongoing debates about their validity and impact on justice and sentencing in the legal system.