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Staskal Release Approved By Judge

Staskal Will Soon Be Integrated Into Dane County Community

UPDATED: 9:13 am CDT July 3, 2008

A Rock County judge on Wednesday made a decision regarding the future of Mark Staskal, the man found not mentally responsible for his sister's murder more than 20 years ago.

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Judge Michael Byron approved a conditional release plan for Staskal, but with a catch.

Staskal will begin being integrated into the Dane County community, but will reside at the Mendota Mental Health Institution until another facility can be found.

The Department of Health and Family Services said there are currently no options to place Staskal in a group home, but they will continue looking, WISC-TV reported. Twice in the past year, an attempt to place Staskal in a group home has failed.

Staskal will be escorted to group therapy sessions outside the Mendota institute, as well as recreational activities, WISC-TV reported.

When away from Mendota, Staskal will be escorted by staff from an agency called "community treatment alternatives," WISC-TV reported.

The Department of Health and Family Services said they'll come back to court once another group home is located but Staskal's family still feel he's a danger.

"It's the court's pervue or the court's authority to approve plans and plan elements, so we always go to the court," said Rodney Miller, the forensics director for the Department of Health and Family Services. "We always expect the court's review and approval of a plan."

Staskal's mother Millie is afraid of her son's release, WISC-TV reported.

"We realized that what we had to do was to make a clean break, and that isn't something I ever wanted to do," said Millie Staskal. "I would never abandon a child who has cancer, so why should I abandon a child who has a mental illness? He didn't choose his disease."

Staskal's mother said she's cutting all ties with her son now that his conditional release has been granted, WISC-TV reported.




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