Minneapolis man who allegedly impaled former dancer with golf club is ruled incompetent for trial

MINNEAPOLIS (TCD) -- Court officials determined on Tuesday that the 44-year-old man accused of beating a grocery store clerk to death and impaling him with a golf club was not competent to stand. trial.

Minnesota Public Radio reports Taylor Schulz was due to appear in court Jan. 16 for allegedly killing 66-year-old Robert Skafte, but he refused to show up. Court records reportedly noted Schulz, "due to mental illness or cognitive impairment, lacks the ability to rationally consult with counsel; or lacks the ability to understand the proceedings or participate in the defense."

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office reportedly said in a statement officials will "conduct a thorough review of Mr. Schulz’s history and circumstances before the County Attorney’s Office can move forward with civil commitment proceedings."

Schulz remains in custody at the Hennepin County Jail and the county attorney's office said there could be "treatment efforts to assist Schulz in attaining competence" if he starts meeting criteria.

According to the Star Tribune, Schulz's defense attorney said, "We have no reason to dispute the examiner's opinion."

On Dec. 8 at just before 1 p.m., Minneapolis Police Department officers were called to a grocery store on the 200 block of Oak Grove Street and found Skafte "behind the counter with a golf club impaled through his torso." Medics transported him to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Police identified Schulz as the suspect and reportedly found him barricaded inside a nearby apartment. A SWAT crew, bomb squad, negotiators, and other investigators arrived at the residence and arrested Schulz without incident after six hours.

The Star Tribune reports surveillance video from the store showed Schulz punching, choking, beating, and dragging Skafte before hitting him in the head and neck with the golf club. The club broke, and he impaled Skafte.

Skafte worked at Oak Grove Grocery and was previously an acclaimed dancer.

MORE:

• Suspect in fatal stabbing at Minneapolis grocery store found incompetent to stand trial - Minnesota Public Radio
• Man found mentally incompetent to stand trial in brutal killing of Loring Park store clerk - Star Tribune
• Man dies after stabbing, 12/8/2023 - Minneapolis Police Department
• Minneapolis man accused impaling victim with golf club in 'grotesque' killing, 12/11/2023 - TCD