The late Farrah Fawcett’s son, Redmond O’Neal‘s godmother, Mela Murphy, exclusively told Us that she is hopeful for his future “more than ever” following his arraignment on an attempted murder charge.
“He’s working the program and they are working with him. They are doing good work with him [at the hospital where is incarcerated],” Murphy revealed to Us following a court hearing in Los Angeles on Thursday, August 13.
Redmond, Fawcett’s son with ex Ryan O’Neal, was arrested in May 2018 for attempted murder and assault in Los Angeles after an attempted robbery. Local police officers charged Redmond, 41, after a string of attacks severely injured five individuals. One victim sustained “significant and serious stab wounds and cuts to his face, neck and upper body,” per a press release.
Redmond had pleaded not guilty to the charges of second-degree robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a smoking device, possession of an injection/ingestion device and two counts of possessing a controlled substance at the LAX Airport courthouse.
“The suspect entered the store with a knife and approached the clerk and demanded money from the register,” the LAPD told Us Weekly at the time. “The suspect fled the store on foot. … Officers found the knife and cash in [Redmond’s] possession.”
While in court on Thursday, Redmond spoke only briefly to confirm to a judge that he understood his arraignment was being continued until October 29.
His lawyer Dana Cole confirmed that he would not make a bail motion during Thursday’s hearing, so Redmond was ordered to stay incarcerated at Patton State Hospital under no bail without prejudice.
Redmond was initially ruled incompetent to stand trial, which was reversed last year. During a March hearing, Redmond’s attorney issued a not guilty plea on his client’s behalf and claimed that he has since “found God.”
“The medication is working beautifully and he’s going to his life skills classes every day,” the lawyer claimed of Redmond’s stint at a psychiatric hospital, where he’s been receiving treatment for substance abuse issues. “When I ask him, ‘Are you opening up and helping others there at Patton?’ he always says, ‘Absolutely.’ He still has hope that he will get out.”
Redmond was ordered to stay at the hospital during a court hearing held last month, with a Superior Court commissioner finding that there is sufficient cause to believe that a crime took place.
On Thursday, Redmond initially entered the courtroom at around 11:30 a.m. PT after his transport van arrived late. He blew his godmother, Murphy, a kiss — which she later indicated to Us was a sign of how he’s improving under psychiatric care.
“You saw him just now throwing me a kiss. He is always calling to make sure I am alright,” she said.
While Murphy brings a fresh change of clothes to each of Redmond’s court hearings, a judge ruled that he’d have to stay in his prison jumpsuit for Thursday’s arraignment. (Redmond was previously able to change out of his prison clothes for a previous preliminary hearing.)
Murphy expressed hope that Redmond will be able to wear a change of clothes in a future hearing.
“He feels better. It’s the feel of the clothes,” she told Us on Thursday. “Feeling like he has a little life besides what life he is living. It just feels right and it makes him feel better in court, more respectful… human.”
Asked how Redmond has fared with his psychological care at Patton State Hospital, Murphy shared with Us that he is receiving the best support possible “with all the new treatments now that are out for neurodivergence.”
Murphy also suggested that Redmond’s late mother would be thrilled with the progress he has made after numerous run-ins with the law.
“I just close my eyes and visualize her there,” she said of Fawcett.
Amid the legal battle and his recovery, Redmond has received plenty of support from relatives and loved ones.
“Redmond has been drug-free and a model patient for five years now at Patton State Hospital,” his godmother, Mela Murphy, told People in March. “He has had to overcome so much in his life. We are proud of him, and Farrah would be too. He finally got a proper mental health diagnosis and medication.”
Murphy continued at the time, “I believe his serious drug problems in the past were a result of not having mental health support in his earlier life. Today, he is participating in 12-step recovery, helps out patients, reads every day and has found a spiritual life. There are many friends and supporters of Redmond who are in contact with him and are so proud of his journey to recovery.”
Fawcett and her ex Ryan died in 2009 and 2023, respectively. (Ryan was also father of kids Tatum and Griffin with Joanna Moore and son Patrick with Leigh Taylor-Young.)
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
