MADISON (WKOW) — Sierra Schoonover has been ordered to spend the rest of her life in inpatient institutional care after killing her mother.
This decision was made by Judge Ellen Berz at the Dane County Courthouse on Friday due to concerns about Schoonover's mental stability and risk to public safety.
Earlier this month, Schoonover, 31, of Blue Mounds, pleaded guilty, but not guilty by reason of insanity, to first-degree intentional homicide. She was charged with the stabbing death of her mother, Heather Schoonover, in April.
Dane County deputies found Heather Schoonover on the bathroom floor of their Blue Mounds home with a bloody knife nearby.
No witness statements were presented in court, but Judge Berz received 11 letters from supporters attesting to Schoonover's character. Schoonover's attorney argued for 15 years of institutional care, citing her diagnosis of brief psychotic disorder as temporary.
Attorney Andrea Schoenherr emphasized that Schoonover is taking all precautions to improve and maintain her mental health.
"Her current medication has helped her feel more stable and normal and no longer experiences these kind of symptoms," Schoenherr said.
Schoonover spoke in court about her treatment progress and realization about the delusions that led to her mother's death.
"That the delusions I have been acting on weren't true, and it's because of me my mom is gone," Schoonover said.
Prosecutors argued for a lifetime commitment, stating that despite her mental illness, Schoonover took a life.
"She ended a life, ended the life of her mother," prosecutors said.
Judge Berz said Schoonover's unpredictability ultimately led to the decision for a lifetime commitment.
"And whether it be the next day, the next week, the next year, or five years or ten years later, they promise to take the medication and they don't," Berz said.
Schoonover will be eligible to petition for conditional release or community placement if her care team deems it appropriate in the future.
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