Taylor Schabusiness to Stand Trial in October for Alleged Prison Attack
Taylor Schabusiness, a 27-year-old Wisconsin woman serving a life sentence for the 2022 murder and dismemberment of her lover, Shad Thyrion, is scheduled to stand trial in October for allegedly attacking a prison guard at Taycheedah Correctional Institution
Incident Details
The alleged assault occurred in July 2024 when Schabusiness requested medical attention for a staple embedded in her arm. According to court documents, as a nurse prepared to remove the staple, Schabusiness allegedly lunged at the nurse. A prison sergeant intervened, allowing the nurse to escape, but Schabusiness then reportedly attacked the guard, striking her with a tray and swinging a metal table at her. The sergeant subdued Schabusiness using pepper spray and was subsequently treated for injuries at a hospital.
Court Proceedings
Schabusiness appeared in a Fond du Lac County courtroom on June 3, 2025, where Judge Anthony Nehls set a three-day jury trial to begin on October 27. A motion hearing is also scheduled for October 8 to determine whether Schabusiness will be restrained during the trial.
During the June 3 hearing, Schabusiness, shackled and under heavy guard, blew a kiss to the camera as she was wheeled into the courtroom. Judge Nehls cautioned her that any future outbursts could jeopardize her ability to attend future proceedings.
History of Courtroom Outbursts
Schabusiness has a history of violent behavior during court proceedings. In April 2025, she attacked her attorney, Curtis Julka, during a preliminary hearing related to the prison assault case. This followed a previous incident in February 2023, when she lunged at her then-attorney, Quinn Jolly, during her homicide trial.
Due to these incidents, multiple attorneys have withdrawn from representing her. Currently, attorney Christopher Froelich, who represented Schabusiness during her murder trial, is serving as her defense counsel in the upcoming battery case.
Background on Conviction
In September 2023, Schabusiness was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, and third-degree sexual assault in the death of Shad Thyrion. The gruesome crime involved strangulation, dismemberment, and post-mortem sexual acts, which shocked the Green Bay community.
Schabusiness initially filed an appeal but later dropped it after her attorney submitted a “no merit” report. The Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office has since declined to assign her new counsel, leaving her to pursue any further legal actions independently.
As the October trial approaches, the court will address motions regarding Schabusiness’s conduct and determine the appropriate measures to ensure the safety and order of the proceedings.
