OH v Toby Madden: Murder trial against man stabbed 55 times

HAMILTON, Ohio (Court TV) — Jury selection begins Monday, Sept. 23, in the case of an Ohio man accused of stabbing his girlfriend 55 times.

Toby Madden is charged with murder and aggravated assault for killing Rachelle Brewsaugh in the couple's home in October 2022. According to prosecutors, the 50-year-old victim was stabbed in the chest, stomach, head, back, knees, arms, shoulders and hands.

At the time of Brewsaugh's death, the couple had been together for 27 years. According to documents obtained by Court TV, neighbors said the couple had only moved into the house where Brewsaugh died a week before she died.

Madden, who has pleaded not guilty, told police that someone else killed Brewsaugh because the couple had confiscated drugs and there was a bounty on Madden's head. Court records show the Butler County Sheriff's Office caught Madden with a suitcase full of 316 grams of methamphetamine in September 2021. He was not charged with drug offenses until November 2022, shortly after he was arrested for Brewsaugh's murder.

Madden, now 54, is already serving a prison sentence of 11 to 16.5 years for drug offenses related to the suitcase of meth. He testified in his defense at that trial.

Madden wanted to represent himself in the murder trial, but the judge denied that request twice. The defendant, who had at least six defense attorneys in the 23 months the case was pending, was said to have been disruptive in court. In March, Madden had to be forcibly removed from the courtroom after threatening to attack his attorney.

Testimony is expected to begin Monday afternoon once the jury is seated.