GREEN BAY (Court TV) — A Wisconsin woman convicted of killing and dismembering her sexual partner while high on drugs was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Taylor Schabusiness appeared in court on Tuesday wearing orange jail-issued clothing, as well as a white cloth over her face.
Taylor Schabusiness appeared in court for her sentencing on Sept. 26, 2023, with a white cloth over her face. (Scripps News Green Bay)
In July, Schabusiness was found guilty of all charges in the February 2022 death of Shad Thyrion. Schabusiness had claimed she was suffering from mental illness when she strangled Thyrion with a chain during sex while they were high on methamphetamine. In police interviews admitted as trial evidence, she also admitted to sexually assaulting and dismembering his corpse.
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Days before her scheduled sentencing, Schabusiness’ attorneys requested a continuance from the Court, saying they had been unable to meet with their client at the jail “due to her current observation and watch status.”
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Family members of Schabusiness testified on Schabusiness’ behalf, talking about her childhood and the number of people whom she had lost in her family.
The defense called an expert witness, Dr. James O’Donnell, a clinical pharmacologist, who testified to the effects of methamphetamine. O’Donnell testified that long-term use of the drug may have caused Schabusiness to suffer brain damage.
Schabusiness declined to speak on her own behalf at sentencing.
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Members of Shad Thyrion’s family were among those who spoke, including his father Michael, who told Schabusiness that he forgave her for the murder.
The judge sentenced Schabusiness to life in prison without the possibility of parole for first-degree intentional homicide plus 10.5 years in prison and eight years of extended supervision to be served consecutively for mutilation of a corpse and third-degree sexual assault.
