Judge rules Loring Park grocery killer insane
Judge Michael Burns ruled Taylor Schulz not guilty by reason of mental illness for the Dec. 8, 2023 killing of 66-year-old Robert Skafte at Oak Grove Grocery in Loring Park.[1]
The court found the state had proved Schulz committed the murder but concluded he was legally mentally ill and did not know his actions were wrong.[1] Burns ordered Schulz to remain under civil commitment as "mentally ill and dangerous" and to stay under court supervision rather than serve a prison sentence.[1]
Prosecutors presented evidence that Schulz killed Skafte inside the store.[1] Defense lawyers argued Schulz was psychotic and did not understand his actions, and the judge concluded that met the legal standard for not guilty by reason of mental illness.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Judge Michael Burns found Taylor Schulz not guilty by reason of mental illness in the Dec. 8, 2023 killing of 66-year-old Robert Skafte at Oak Grove Grocery in Loring Park.
- The court held that the state proved Schulz committed the murder but that he was legally mentally ill and did not know his actions were wrong.
- Schulz remains under civil commitment as 'mentally ill and dangerous,' with the judge ordering that commitment to continue under court supervision instead of a prison sentence.
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