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.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
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- 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).