Closing arguments are expected to wrap up on Friday in the trial of Matthew Stubbendiek, the Cass County man accused of helping his girlfriend commit suicide last year.
Stubbendieck was arrested in 2017 for allegedly assisting in the suicide of Alicia Wilemon-Sullivan, whose body was found in a secluded area near Weeping Water in August. Stubbendieck told authorities she came to Nebraska from Florida so she could to see him one last time before she ended her life. Wilemon-Sullivan told Stubbendieck that she suffered from Stage 4 cancer in her lymph nodes, neck, armpits and stomach.
An autopsy showed that there were non masses or tumors discovered in Wilemon-Sullivan's body. The autopsy did show that Alicia had cuts on her wrists and forearms, "consistent with commonly observed self-inflicted cutting wounds."
In Cass County Court Thursday, Matthew's mother Sheri told the jury she could see the love Alicia Wilemon-Sullivan had for her son, that she and her husband helped pay for the girlfriend's flight from Florida to Nebraska and the moment the family met her.
“When I saw them out in the parking lot, we were waiting out there, she came running up to me. And yes, we had a very nice time,” Sheri said.
After dinner, Sheri shared what she thought were symptoms of Wilemon-Sullivan’s sickness, believing she had stage 4 cancer.
Sheri: “Alicia and I went into the lady's room, yes.
Defense: “What observation do you make of Alicia while you're in the lady's room?”
Sheri: “She's vomiting.”
Defense: “And was that obvious to you?”
Sheri: “Yes.”
It was that next day, Howard remembers his son Matthew returning home without Wilemon-Sullivan. “I'm not sure concerned is the right word. I wondered why that would happen. I don't know if I was actually concerned,” he said in court.
Prosecutors say Stubbendieck searched for morphine and other drugs before Wilemon-Sullivan's death. Stubbendieck's former co-worker Matthew Ryan Stephens took the stand and backed up the prosecutors claim.
Prosecution: "Earlier, you had said he said he was going to put her to sleep, was the phrase. Did the defendant tell you how he planned to do that?"
Stephens: "Shoot her up with morphine."
The defense argues Matthew Stubbendieck was caught in a web of Wilemon-Sullivan's lies. They say he loved her so much he would have done anything to help her feel better. Investigator Doug Durkan read text message evidence from Wilemon-Sullivan. “’Guess I just wanted to die in your arms because that's the only peace I know or thought.'"
Prosecutors say any one of Stubendieck's acts the day of her death show his guilt.
(Photo courtesy of 6 News)