In a shocking courtroom incident on April 4, 2025, Taylor Schabusiness, a convicted killer serving a life sentence for the brutal murder and dismemberment of her boyfriend, Shad Thyrion, attacked her attorney during a preliminary hearing in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. The outburst occurred as Schabusiness was facing additional charges related to an alleged assault on a prison guard at the Taycheedah Correctional Institution.
Schabusiness, 27, had been in court for a hearing regarding the battery charge when she lunged at her defense attorney, Curtis Julka, shortly after the proceedings began at 8:30 a.m. Witnesses reported that the courtroom erupted into chaos as deputies rushed to restrain her. The court was briefly adjourned, returning to session at 9:25 a.m., during which Schabusiness appeared via video link from jail.
According to reports, the courtroom saw heightened security with at least five deputies present, a number that increased just before Schabusiness's attack. It was not the first time she had lashed out in court; she had previously attacked another attorney during a motions hearing back in February 2023.
Following the incident, Julka requested to withdraw from representing Schabusiness, a request that was initially denied by Judge Anthony Nehls. However, by the end of the day, court records indicated that Julka was officially withdrawn from the case, and another attorney, Christopher Froelich, was assigned to represent her.
Schabusiness's violent behavior is a stark reminder of the severity of her past crimes. In February 2022, she strangled Thyrion during a sexual encounter, later dismembering his body and keeping his head in a bucket. During her trial, it was revealed that she had claimed to "enjoy" the act of choking him and had mutilated his corpse afterward. A jury found her guilty of first-degree intentional homicide, third-degree sexual assault, and mutilating a corpse, rejecting her insanity plea. She was sentenced to life in prison in September 2023.
At the preliminary hearing on the battery charge, prosecutors allege that Schabusiness attacked a sergeant at the Taycheedah Correctional Institution on July 24, 2024. According to the criminal complaint, she had been in need of medical attention for a staple lodged in her arm. When a nurse attempted to assist her, Schabusiness allegedly lunged at the nurse and subsequently swung a small metal table at the sergeant who intervened. This altercation resulted in the sergeant using pepper spray to subdue her until additional guards arrived.
During the preliminary hearing, Schabusiness entered a not guilty plea to the battery charge. Following the violent outburst in court, the judge opted to continue the proceedings via Zoom, allowing Schabusiness to appear remotely while in restraints.
The incident has raised significant concerns about the management of inmates with violent histories in court settings. Schabusiness’s behavior has sparked discussions on the protocols in place for handling defendants who have previously exhibited violent tendencies. Legal experts have pointed out that while security measures are typically heightened in cases involving violent offenders, the unpredictable nature of such individuals can lead to dangerous situations.
As her legal battles continue, Schabusiness remains a figure of both fascination and horror in the public eye. Her case has drawn attention not only for the gruesome nature of her crimes but also for her unpredictable behavior in court. The upcoming trial regarding the assault on the prison guard is expected to further illuminate the complexities of her mental state and the challenges of the legal system in dealing with such cases.
Schabusiness’s next court appearance has yet to be scheduled, but the implications of her actions in court will likely resonate throughout the judicial proceedings. As she faces new charges, the question remains whether her violent outbursts will continue to disrupt the legal process.
In the wake of this incident, the Fond du Lac County court system is likely to review its procedures for handling cases involving individuals with a history of violence, aiming to prevent further disruptions and ensure the safety of all participants in the courtroom.
