Accused murderer Roger Schleicher was indefinitely committed to a mental hospital Friday for treatment.

Saturday, April 28, 2001

Accused murderer Roger Schleicher was indefinitely committed to a mental hospital Friday for treatment.

A third district judge ruled Friday that Schleicher is mentally ill and dangerous, and ordered him committed to the St. Peter Regional Treatment Facility for an indefinite period of time, said Steele County Court Administrator Gordon Meiners.

As a mentally ill and dangerous person, Schleicher will not be released from the institution until a review panel judges him to be mentally capable of rejoining society, if ever.

In a confidential report to the court, St. Peter staff recommended Schleicher continue to be committed at the facility, without his consent, because of his past behavior and actions toward rehabilitative staff. After reviewing the report, the judge agreed that less restrictive alternatives would not be appropriate in Schleicher’s case, Meiners said.

&uot;Based on the fact that he is mentally ill and has inappropriately touched and assaulted staff at the regional treatment center in the past, and because there are murder charges against him,&uot; he said.

The hearing was a mandatory review of Schleicher’s civil commitment and will not affect criminal charges, Meiners said.

Schleicher faces first-degree murder charges for the Dec. 29 death of a Waseca man. Police say he lured his friend Jack Johannsen to his home, then shot him.

St. Peter staff are conducting a competency evaluation to determine if Schleicher can claim a mental illness defense in the murder proceedings, Meiners said.