GREEN BAY (WLUK) — In the wake of another search warrant executed this week, the attorney for Taylor Schabusiness has asked for the March 6 trial to be postponed.
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 March 6 trial date has been in jeopardy because the court is still reviewing whether Schabusiness is competent to stand trial. A Feb. 14 hearing is scheduled for that aspect of the case.
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.
In a motion filed Wednesday, defense attorney Quinn Jolly revealed prosecutors were granted a search warrant Monday for a cellphone which was located in the defendant’s bedroom, looking for evidence related to the murder. However, since he has not seen the results of the search, and may need to hire an expert to review the results, Jolly asked for the case to be postponed.
Jolly also cited the extensive amount of discovery to review in the case, with 34 potential state witnesses. And, he needs more time to consult with experts for the Medical Examiner’s report.
“An adjournment of the trial is necessary to complete the discovery process and adequately prepare for trial,” Jolly wrote. “The Defendant believes and adjournment is necessary in the interest of fairness and justice.
Prosecutors have not replied to the motion. A hearing has been set for Friday.
Jolly also filed a separate motion, addressing nearly a dozen evidentiary issues.
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.
