Staskal move approved
A Rock County judge ruled this morning that Mark Staskal will move from Mendota Mental Health Institute to an adult group on East Mifflin Street in Madison.
Judge Michael Byron approved a conditional-release plan developed under the auspices of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services to place Staskal at Brighter Life Living, 924 E. Mifflin St., probably within two weeks.
Staskal stabbed his younger sister, Marcy, to death in their Milton home in 1984.
Except for a brief stay at an Eau Claire group home late last year, Staskal, 44, has lived at Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison since he was found not guilty by reason of mental disease of his sister’s murder.
The two-week delay is necessary to hire additional staff and train them to deal with Staskal’s specific needs, Glenn Larson, conditional-release program manager for the Department of Health and Family Services, told the court.
The group home, which as a rated capacity for four residents, currently has three, and the staff-to-resident ratio will be at least one to three 24 hours a day, Larson said.
Staskal’s mental health will be assessed daily, and he will meet weekly with a probation agent, Larson said.
In addition, he will meet regularly with psychiatrists from Mendota, and he will not be allowed out into the community without direct supervision for at least 30 days, the state official said.
May 14, 2008 at 10:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
I am sorry did anyone say he had the right?
May 14, 2008 at 9:24 a.m.
Suggest removal
Like i asked before.What gives anyone the right to committ murder.Just because he has a mental issues dosent give him any right to kill.That also goes for the person who killed my cousin on April 2 dont forget Britany Zimmerman.
May 13, 2008 at 8 p.m.
Suggest removal
Does any one realize how hard it is to get someone put into a mental institution and kept there?
It is extremely hard. For example we know of a young man who was hauled into rock county crisis after threatening to kill himself and hurt someone else. They got him in there and he told them what they wanted to hear and they let him go. They let him go.
There are so many laws to protect the mentally ill that sometimes those very laws work against them. Then they don't get the help they need.
May 13, 2008 at 5 p.m.
Suggest removal
The whole situation is sad. Mark Staskel didn't ask for this mental disease. His parent's have been through hell and are trying to protect their son. They know better than anyone what treatment he needs. They don't want to lose another child and that's what will happen if he is not watched closely. I doubt that any group home is equipped to deal him. Why move him if he's doing well where is is? I too fear for his safety.
May 13, 2008 at 4:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
greengina8, he was ruled mentally ill. That generally indicates there was not a rational motive, thought process, or impulse control.
.
catch22, restorative justice would require the parents and Staskal to be able to come to a rational agreement. It doesn't sound like they would want to be part of such an arrangement.
http://www.restorativejustice.org/intro
.
The state through a trial determined that Staskal was to be treated through the mental health system rather than the criminal justice system. (If he's found not guilty, it doesn't matter what he was charged with; he can't be sentenced.) The alternative might be a plea agreement or supplementary charges for lesser crimes, but that would still result in a limited prison sentence, followed by very limited probationary oversight instead of continued medical supervision.
.
Since he is being treated through the mental health system, and all parties have gone through the appropriate steps to place him in a socially appropriate situation, this isn't just something that the judge came up with. The judge probably has very few options other than to approve the arrangements that have been made, at great effort and probably expense, to give him an improved therapeutic environment.
.
The recent episode in Eau Claire indicates that he will be closely monitored and his situation will be reviewed.
May 13, 2008 at 12:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
http://gazettextra.com/news/2008/feb/16/...
May 13, 2008 at 12:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
After reading these comments I fear for his safety.
May 13, 2008 at 11:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
I often wonder what caused him to kill his sister in the first place. Was it random or was he provolked? I have met people who were abused by their siblings. Lets just say their siblings are lucky to still be alive...
May 13, 2008 at 11:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
It is time to revisit the laws in the State. How is it that someone like Mark can get out? Ever? After committing such a brutal murder?How much does his family need to endure?
Maybe we need to remind the Judge about Restorative Justice and victims rights!
Too bad people of Dane county can not vote in his next election.
May 13, 2008 at 11:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
Like i asked before what gave hime the right to committ murder.I know what its like to have a family member murdered cause my Cousin was murdered on April 2.If he kills again everyone will want jusdge Byron's head on a platter.I hope Judge Byron knows what he is doing
May 13, 2008 at 11:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
How many people out there realize that this group home is less than 1 block away from Lapham Elementary school??????? I hope that Judge Byron can sleep well at night knowing he has put school children and all the community people in danger. Wasn't the murder of the young college student in that area also?
Judge Byron....when are you up for re-election?
May 13, 2008 at 11:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
Last night on the news they interviewed Mark's mom. It takes a lot for a mother to come forward and say that she feels he will do it again, and she was worried about safety. I feel bad for the new neighborhood and hope he can keep it together. I have my doubts after many years of working in the mental health field.... I am not as optimistic as Judge Byron!
May 13, 2008 at 11:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
This is bad news for that neighborhood. If he's allowed to go out alone, I'd hate to think what he would do to the first person who says something he interperets as teasing. That's why he killed his sister, because she teased him. I don't think he should be allowed out into the community without direct supervision ever.
*
I'll never forget what it was like in Milton after Marcy was murdered. I hope that Mifflin St. neighborhood where he'll be living doesn't have to go through the same thing.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.