When family ties are shattered by a heinous act, we are left grappling with a mix of sorrow, disbelief, and a quest for understanding. Our journey through the harrowing case of Sonny Kim, a teenager who succumbed to his darkest impulses, murdering his sister Ashley, exposes a wound that lies at the intersection of mental health and criminal justice. With the measured guidance of forensic psychologist Dr. Ellison Paganelli, we delve into the psyche of a troubled youth battling Asperger's and schizotypal disorders, whose initial intent to annihilate his family and himself was abruptly halted by his own unraveling mind.
The sentence handed down to Sonny—a life behind bars with the prospect of parole in three decades, conditional on receiving consistent mental health treatment—forces us to consider the fabric of our societal responses to such tragedies. We navigate the complexities of a family torn apart by violence, as they contend with grief and the haunting questions that linger. Dr. Paganelli helps unravel the psychological threads that led to the fatal night, while we confront the broader implications of Sonny's actions and the influence of mental illness on individual behavior. This episode is a profound exploration of the human condition, the depths of familial love, and the painstaking road to accountability and possible redemption.
When family ties are shattered by a heinous act, we are left grappling with a mix of sorrow, disbelief, and a quest for understanding. Our journey through the harrowing case of Sonny Kim, a teenager who succumbed to his darkest impulses, murdering his sister Ashley, exposes a wound that lies at the intersection of mental health and criminal justice. With the measured guidance of forensic psychologist Dr. Ellison Paganelli, we delve into the psyche of a troubled youth battling Asperger's and schizotypal disorders, whose initial intent to annihilate his family and himself was abruptly halted by his own unraveling mind.
The sentence handed down to Sonny—a life behind bars with the prospect of parole in three decades, conditional on receiving consistent mental health treatment—forces us to consider the fabric of our societal responses to such tragedies. We navigate the complexities of a family torn apart by violence, as they contend with grief and the haunting questions that linger. Dr. Paganelli helps unravel the psychological threads that led to the fatal night, while we confront the broader implications of Sonny's actions and the influence of mental illness on individual behavior. This episode is a profound exploration of the human condition, the depths of familial love, and the painstaking road to accountability and possible redemption.
Kim was 16 when he killed his 23-year-old sister, ashley Kim, just as Brazel and Kim's mother were getting into bed. Kim tried to shoot Brazel when he entered the living room but could not load the magazine into the gun. Kim later told investigators he planned to kill his mother, stepfather and sister and commit suicide. Welcome to another episode of Human Wreckage True Crime Podcast. My name is Thomas. Today's case is about Sonny Kim, a 16-year-old who killed his sister out of jealousy. He was not happy with his life and despised the fact his sister, ashley, was successful in her life. Sonny needed mental health intervention. It came too late. Let's get into it. Family members, including Kim's mother, nikki Brazel, strongly opposed statements from Assistant District Attorney Ricky Coates that Kim killed his sister out of jealousy. She graduated from Evans High School and was attending college in Colorado, and she was home for Christmas break when she was killed. And she was home for Christmas break when she was killed. Kim was mostly homeschooled and completed high school at age 15 and was attending Georgia Military College. According to Augusta Chronicle archives, while his sister was outgoing, kim was more reserved and did not enjoy attention. Sonny loved his sister more than he loved anybody. His stepfather said he loved his mother and loved myself, but his sister, ashley, was his favorite person. Nikki Brazzo left the courtroom several times and family members consoled her as she watched her son stand before the judge. She said that on the night of the murder, she believed she was looking at something dark and evil in her son that she has never seen before or since. I would love to take my son home now. Brazel said through tears. I would just love to give him a hug and a kiss because I know that he's not a murderer.
Speaker 1:
Dr Ellison Paganelli, a forensic psychologist who has been working with Kim since April 2017, said that after interviews with Kim and his mother, multiple tests and reviewing records, there are still many unanswered questions, including why he would kill his sister. While Sonny was able to remember these events, he also described that it was like watching himself or another person that looked like him doing those things. She said After watching his interview with investigators, which included multiple instances of Kim talking to himself and to unseen people, kim told Paganelli that it was like looking into a parallel dimension. Paganelli said that, from her experience with Kim, he meets the criteria for an autism spectrum disorder that usually begins to exhibit symptoms in early childhood.
Speaker 1:
A person with the disorder has problems socializing with others and expressing emotions. Kim also has a history of being exposed to traumatic events because of his biological father, including being neglected. Because of the psychosis episodes in the interrogation video and Kim's young age, paganelli believes his psychological issues will grow into something bigger. Kim was also conducting self-harm by banging his head against the wall and window, biting his arm and breaking his tooth at the regional youth detention center. He wants to take responsibility for this and always has, but what he feels is this is the only way to bring closure to his family and to himself and, before his God, to move on with his life, said Paganelli. Breaking news.
Speaker 2:
Breaking news is midday about Sonny Kim, that Columbia County teenager will serve life in prison after pleading guilty, but mentally ill, to the murder of his sister. Now Sonny Kim pleads guilty to murder, assault and weapons charges, all of this developing just within the last few minutes here. The 19-year-old will have the possibility of parole in 30 years, when he's 49 years old. He's charged with the 2016 murder of his older sister, ashley. Investigators say Kim had planned to murder his entire family in their Martinez home, then commit suicide. His parents had psychiatric testing on Kim that showed he had Asperger's and schizotype disorders. But again, a guilty plea in the case there of Sonny Kim in connection to the murder of his sister Ashley. We're going to continue to follow this story for you and have more as the day progresses.
Speaker 1:
Along with felony and malice murder, sonny also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and one charge of possession of a firearm during a crime. He has been diagnosed by several doctors with Asperger's, along with disorders similar to schizophrenia. The judge presiding sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole on the condition he receives mental health treatment while incarcerated. Because of Kim's guilty plea by reason of mental illness, he will receive psychiatric care while serving his sentence.
Speaker 3:
He was just 16 years old when he shot and killed his sister Ashley. Now, almost three years later, he pleads guilty to her murder and will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. He does have a chance at parole in 30 years when he's 49 years old. Columbia County reporter Laura Puglisi was there for an emotional day before. Well, still to this day no one, including Sonny, knows why he did this. He told investigators he had not been planning it. He didn't even want to, he just did it. It was a very emotional hearing, as family had the chance to speak to their son, possibly for the last time. Sonny, it's been a treasure to be your mama and I look forward to the future. I love you, son. Teary-eyed and shaken, nikki Brazell looked her son in the eyes after he pleaded guilty to the murder of his 23-year-old sister, ashley Kim.
Speaker 2:
I would have never seen this coming.
Speaker 3:
I believe that the world is full of something that's very evil and dark. In 2016, just days before Christmas, Sonny shot his sister while she was sitting on the couch. He later told investigators he had planned to kill his stepfather, mother, sister and then himself, in that order.
Speaker 4:
I will say, one of the most disturbing things about this case are the crime scene photos, because you literally see Christmas decorations and then a slain body of a 23-year-old girl on the floor.
Speaker 3:
Almost three years later and the question why? Still remains a mystery.
Speaker 4:
His fear was about knowing at any point in time. He could simply not know what he was doing and do something with no reason or not have any control over it.
Speaker 3:
Forensic psychologist Allison Paganelli says she asked Sonny questions about this interrogation video, which shows him talking to people who are not there.
Speaker 4:
He described watching the video of himself. I imagine if you were able to look into a parallel dimension and watch yourself, it would be like that.
Speaker 3:
We may never know why he did it, but why he pleaded guilty comes down to this.
Speaker 4:
He wants to take responsibility for this, and he always has, but what he feels is that this is the only way for him to bring the closure to his family, to himself and, before his God, to move on with his life.
Speaker 3:
And along with felony and malice murder, sonny also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and one charge of possession of a firearm during a crime. He has been diagnosed by several doctors with Asperger's, along with disorders similar to schizophrenia. Emotional day in court there, laura.
Speaker 1:
Thank you for that. Thanks again for joining me. Heartbreaking case. I think Sonny had a lot of issues not addressed. He needed help. He changed everyone's life for the worse. What a nightmare for his parents losing both their children this way. If you like what we do, please like and subscribe. Till next time, take care, Thank you.