GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A doctor testified Friday that he believes Taylor Schabusiness is competent to stand trial for allegedly murdering and decapitating a man, but the judge will wait to hear from another doctor hired by the defense before making a decision.
Schabusiness, 25, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and third-degree sexual assault for allegedly attacking Shad Thyrion on Feb. 23. She has pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. The trial is scheduled to start March 6.
Competency refers to the defendant’s ability to understand the court proceedings and assist in their own defense. If deemed competent, the case would proceed. If deemed not competent, the case would be put on hold while she receives additional psychiatric treatment.
Dr. Matthew Seipel, who was appointed by the court, testified he believes Schabusiness is able to stand trial. He noted he had extensive discussions with her about the allegations, the evidence, and legal tactics.
“In discussing these topics, the defendant did not display any substantial deficits in her understanding of the underlying case, or the pending proceedings, or in her capacity to communicate coherently and rationally with defense counsel toward making the legal decisions that fall essentially for her to make,” Seipel said.
Schabusiness also expressed an appreciation for the seriousness of the charges, and lamented the lack of physical contact with her son, Seipel said.
The defense is still working to get its evaluation completed, said attorney Quinn Jolly. Once it is, another hearing will be scheduled.
For now, the March 6 trial date remains scheduled.
According to the criminal complaint, police were called to a residence on Stony Brook Lane early in the morning of Feb. 23. There, police found a severed head inside a bucket in the basement.
Schabusiness said she and the victim were using drugs, including meth, and engaging in sexual play, when the man was strangled. She then sexually abused him, dismembered the body and placed body parts in various locations in the home and a vehicle, the criminal complaint states.
“Schabusiness made the comment that at one point, she did get paranoid and lazy and that she thought it was the ‘dope’ that was making her paranoid,” the complaint states.
Police say they took Schabusiness into custody later on Feb. 23 at an Eastman Avenue residence.
Schabusiness removed an electronic monitoring bracelet hours before the murder, according to the sheriff’s department. A warrant was issued for her arrest, but she was not located before allegedly killing Thyrion.
She is being held on a $2 million cash bond.
