GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Statements murder suspect Taylor Schabusiness made to police about the case will be allowed to be used at trial, a judge ruled Tuesday.
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.
The attorneys and judge have spent all day Tuesday, sorting through more than a dozen pre-trial motions. One of the most significant focused on a defense claim that Schabusiness was under the influence of drugs to such an extent that she couldn’t voluntarily waive her Miranda rights when talking to police, admitting to the murder, decapitation, and sexual assault.
But Judge Thomas Walsh denied the motion, saying it appeared in video of the interviews she was relaxed, engaging, and able to track questions. Based on totality of circumstances that she voluntarily waived Miranda rights, and gave consent for buccal swabs for a DNA sample.
Evidence gathered from Schabusiness’ apartment and vehicle will also be allowed.
Judge Walsh also denied a request for another competency exam for Schabusiness. Allowing another psychiatric examination would have resulted in a delay of the trial.
Walsh also denied a defense request to dismiss the sexual assault charge.
According to the criminal complaint, police were called to a residence on Stony Brook Lane early in the morning of Feb. 23, 2022. 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.
