Taylor Schabusiness speaks to her attorney, Christopher Froelich, in court March 3, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A judge denied a request to lower murder suspect Taylor Schabusiness’ $2 million cash bond. A decision on if another competency exam will be performed was postponed, and another hearing was scheduled to determine what statements she has made will be allowed at trial.
Schabusiness, 25, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and third-degree sexual assault for allegedly attacking Shad Thyrion last year. She has pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. She is scheduled to stand trial July 21.
Defense attorney Christopher Froelich asked for a reduction of the $2 million bond, noting her ties to the community and presumption of innocence. He asked for a bond in the range of $500,000 to $1 million.
Deputy District Attorney Caleb Saunders opposed the request, noting previous missed court appearances and that when she was arrested, Schabusiness had removed an electronic monitoring bracelet. Also, her probation was revoked by the Dept. of Corrections for previous offenses.
Judge Thomas Walsh noted the primary purpose of bail is to ensure appearance in court and was troubled by the removed bracelet.
“In light of that fact, and in light of the nature of the charges in this case, I’m satisfied that I’m not going to modify the bond. I’m going to leave the bond the way it is. I think it’s appropriate,” he said. “I don’t think it’s just arbitrary and just a random number. I think it’s an appropriate number to ensure that appearance is ensured and that conditions are applied with.”
Another issue is Schabusiness’ current mental state. Competency refers to a defendant’s ability to understand the court proceedings and assist in her own defense. It does not address her mental state at the time of crime.
In March, Walsh turned down Frelich’s request for a new competency exam, saying defense attorneys had not presented any evidence contrary to others who have deemed her competent to stand trial.
Froelich renewed the request Tuesday, but asked Walsh to hold off making a decision while he continues to gather information to support the request.
Meanwhile, the court still needs to make a decision on what statements Schabusiness has made to police will be allowed at trial. Some of them are considered Miranda-Goodchild issues, meaning the defense will argue she did not waive her rights to talk to police. Froelich also said Tuesday he plans to file a motion to suppress certain statements. Those issues will be heard at a June 13 hearing.
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.
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