FOND DU LAC, Wis. (Court TV) — Convicted killer Taylor Schabusiness was tackled by officers moments after her preliminary hearing was called to order on Friday morning.
Taylor Schabusiness lunged out of her seat during a preliminary hearing on April 4, 2025. (Court TV)
Schabusiness is serving a life sentence at Taycheedah Correctional Institution after she was convicted of murdering Shad Thyrion during a drug-fueled sexual encounter. While behind bars serving her sentence, Schabusiness got into trouble again for allegedly attacking an employee of the prison where she is being held.
As the attorneys entered their appearances, Schabusiness leapt up from her seat and began yelling as she lunged toward her attorney, Curtis Julka. The guards who had been standing near her immediately tackled her to the ground and removed her from the courtroom.
The hearing resumed a short while later, with Schabusiness participating via Zoom. Judge Anthony Nehls said he found she had “waived her right to be present” due to her behavior. Julka asked the judge to withdraw from the case, citing the attack. Judge Nehls said he could withdraw following the hearing, which then proceeded.
Taylor Schabusiness appeared via Zoom at a hearing after an outburst led to her removal from the courtroom. (Court TV)
Appearing on a screen in the courtroom, Schabusiness’ brow was furrowed and her arms appeared to be restrained to the chair in which she was sitting.
A criminal complaint reviewed by Court TV alleges that Schabusiness requested medical attention for a staple in her arm on July 24, 2024. While a nurse went to get tweezers to help her, Schabusiness allegedly “lunged” at the nurse. A prison guard intervened, allowing the nurse to escape, but Schabusiness then attacked the guard, hitting her in the head with a tray and swinging a metal table at her.
On Friday, Detective Kristina Meilan testified to the incident, during which she said witnesses described the defendant as “laughing.”
Judge Nehls found probable cause for the case to move forward to trial. Schabusiness pleaded not guilty and, following the hearing, was assigned a new attorney. Information reviewed by Court TV indicates that Christopher Froelich is Schabusiness’ new attorney — he previously represented her during her murder trial.
