Ex-wife of DOC chief gets 3-year sentence
A Scott County judge, Joy Bartscher, sentenced Paul Schnell’s ex‑wife, Myhre‑Schnell, to three years in prison after she admitted on Dec. 3, 2023, to putting lorazepam and water into her disabled son’s feeding bag — filings quote her saying she hoped he would "go to sleep forever" and later telling investigators she intended to kill him, while the victim, who requires round‑the‑clock ventilator care for spina bifida, told investigators "I made it, I’m still here." The three‑year term was a downward durational departure from guidelines that drew criticism from prosecutors who had sought about 18 years; court records show she received 22 days credit for time served and is expected under Minnesota’s two‑thirds rule to serve roughly two years in custody with the remainder on supervised release, and Commissioner Schnell filed a memo abstaining from any DOC involvement in the case.
📌 Key Facts
- Myhre-Schnell, the ex‑wife of Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell, was sentenced to 3 years in prison for the attempted murder of her son.
- Judge Joy Bartscher granted a downward durational departure from the sentencing guidelines, describing the case as less serious than a typical attempted‑murder case, and denied the defense’s request for 7–10 years of probation.
- The defense had sought 7–10 years of probation citing "profound long‑term caregiver burnout," while prosecutors asked for the maximum under guidelines (about 18 years); Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar, who prosecuted the case, called the 36‑month term "completely inappropriate."
- Court records say Myhre‑Schnell admitted that on Dec. 3, 2023 she put lorazepam mixed with water into her son’s feeding bag.
- Filings say she told others she was "hoping he would go to sleep forever" and later told an investigator she intended to kill her son.
- The victim told investigators, "I made it, I’m still here," and described the revelation as "heavy" and "a lot to process."
- Background reported in filings: the son has spina bifida, uses a ventilator, and requires round‑the‑clock care.
- She received 22 days of credit for time served; under Minnesota’s two‑thirds rule she is expected to serve about two years in prison with the balance on supervised release.
- Commissioner Paul Schnell filed a memo saying he would abstain from any Department of Corrections decision‑making or communications related to Myhre‑Schnell’s case.
📰 Sources (3)
- Court clerk minutes describe the term as a downward durational departure from guidelines; the judge denied the defense’s request for 7–10 years of probation.
- Myhre-Schnell received 22 days of credit for time served; under Minnesota’s two-thirds rule she is expected to serve about two years in prison with the balance on supervised release.
- Commissioner Paul Schnell filed a memo stating he would abstain from any DOC decision-making or communications related to Myhre-Schnell’s case.
- Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar’s office prosecuted the case; Hocevar said they sought an 18-year sentence and called the 36-month term “completely inappropriate,” citing the defendant’s statements that she regretted her son survived.
- Judge identified as Joy Bartscher, who granted a downward departure and said the case was less serious than a typical attempted-murder case.
- Defense sought seven to ten years of probation, citing 'profound long-term caregiver burnout'; prosecution asked for the maximum under guidelines (about 18 years).
- Charging detail: Myhre-Schnell admitted to putting lorazepam and water into her son’s feeding bag on Dec. 3, 2023.
- Statements cited in filings: She told others she was 'hoping he would go to sleep forever' and later told an investigator she intended to kill her son.
- Quote from the victim-son to investigators: 'I made it, I’m still here,' while calling the revelation 'heavy' and 'a lot to process.'
- Additional background on family history and the son’s medical conditions (spina bifida, ventilator, round‑the‑clock care).