After filing a report stating Taylor Schabusiness’ homicide conviction appeal had no legal basis, the convicted killer’s appointed attorney requested to be removed from the case.
Attorney Gregory Petit filed a motion May 14 to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals requesting to be withdrawn as Schabusiness’ counsel. He filed a no merit report March 11, outlining six reasons why he argues Schabusiness has no legal basis to appeal her conviction.
Schabusiness was convicted by a jury in 2023 of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and third-degree sexual assault in the 2022 death of Shad Thyrion. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh sentenced Schabusiness to life in prison without parole in September 2023.
Schabusiness consented to Petit’s withdrawal, according to the motion. As of May 15, the court has not ruled on the motion.
The state public defender’s officer will not appoint Schabusiness a new attorney, the motion said. If she continues with her appeal, Schabusiness will either have to represent herself or hire her own attorney, which the motion said she intends to do.
Schabusiness had a May 12 deadline to file a response to Petit’s no merit report, according to court records. A response had not been filed by May 15.
Schabusiness has an open case in Fond du Lac County in which prosecutors accuse her of attacking a guard at Taycheedah Correctional Institution, where she is serving her life sentence. She has pleaded not guilty to the charge and will return to court May 29 for a plea/sentencing hearing.
Vivian Barrett is the public safety reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. You can reach her at vmbarrett@greenbay.gannett.com or (920) 431-8314. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @vivianbarrett_.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Taylor Schabusiness attorney seeks withdrawal from homicide appeal case