UPDATE: Staskal Will Not Move into Group Home Near School

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Reporter: Erin Koskovich
Email Address: ekoskovich@nbc15.com

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Staskal 5-13-08 10pm UPDATE

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UPDATED Thursday, May 15 --- 2:20pm

Do you think Staskal should be released to a group home?

Yes

Maybe

I Don't Care Either Way

Mark Staskal will not be moving into the Brighter Life Living facility, which is near Lapham Elementary in Madison.

According to the Rock County DA, the group home has notified the Department of Health and Family Services there is no longer a place for Staskal at their home.

The DA tells NBC15 News, the Department of Health and Family Services will now search for a new facility/home to house him.

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008 -- 9:15 PM

A murderer who's spent years in a mental institution will be released and placed in an adult home near a Madison elementary school. Forty-four year old Mark Staskal killed his sister back in 1984 and was found not guilty due to mental problems. Now, he will be released into a group home that's less than a block from Lapham Elementary School on Madison's east side. Michael Hertting is the principal at the school and he's concerned about Staskal moving into the neighborhood. "My job is to work with the agencies and departments to minimize the risk and make sure our kids are safe here," said Hertting.

Staskal's parents are also concerned about their son's release into the community. "I hope the parents of the children in the school for the first month pick up their children, take them to school guard them as closely as they can," said Redgie Staskal.

The Staskal's say it's only a matter of time before they feel their son will be back in Mendota Mental Health Institution. "He's not well. He's as sick today as he was when he killed my daughter," said Redgie Staskal.

Meantime, Jason Standish, the man who runs the group home says he believes his facility can handle Staskal's needs. "I don't have any educational background, formal background, in social work, but I have been doing this for 12 years," Standish explained to a Rock County Judge.

Mark Staskal's legal counsel said the same thing. He said there's guidelines set up to account for appropriate monitoring of Staskal's medications and whereabouts. "It sets forth a treatment plan that should be used in Mark's situation, it is comprehensive. It provides for 24-7 supervision," Staskal's legal counsel said.

However, Lapham Elementary is not taking any chances. A note went home to parents explaining the situation and asking them to be aware. "Our playground is well supervised and I have complete faith that our children will be safe at this school--they have been and they will continue to be," said Hertting.

This isn't the first time Staskal was released from Mendota. He was moved to a group home in Eau Claire in November of last year but was eventually returned to Mendota.

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008 --- 11:30 AM

A judge said Tuesday morning that murderer Mark Staskal can be released from a mental hospital, and moved to an adult family home.

Forty four-year-old Staskal stabbed his sister Marcy to death in 1984 in Milton, but was found not guilty by reason of mental disease.

He had been living in the Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison, but was moved to a group home in Eau Claire on November 5, 2007.

He was eventually returned to the Mendota.

The adult family home Staskal is to be released to is close to Lapham Elementary School.

Keep checking back with nbc15.com for updates.

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Updated Wednesday --- December 19, 2007 -- 5:11pm

A Rock County judge ruled that Mark Staskal should be released from Mendota Mental Health Institute.

Staskal will once again be placed in the community, although it is not certain where or when he will be placed.

Staskal had been released to a group home in Eau Claire in November against his own parent's wishes.

He was returned over issues related to his treatment plan.

The Department of Health and Family Services will come up with a new plan for him within 60 days.

Post Your Own COMMENTS Below

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Posted Monday --- November 19, 2007 -- 11:12am

We now know why a man accused of killing his sister is back at a Madison Mental Health facility.

Eau Claire officials say Mark Staskal returned to Mendota mental Mental Health Institute Friday because of treatment plan issues.

Earlier this month, the 43-year-old was transferred to a group home in Eau Claire.

Staskal killed his sister more than 20 years ago, but was found not legally responsible because of his mental condition.

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Posted Friday --- November 16, 2007 -- 6:04pm

The Mendota Mental Health Institute says murderer Mark Staskal is back at their facility in Madison.

Staff at the facility confirmed he was there Friday afternoon, but couldn't provide any more information.

Earlier this month the 43-year-old was transferred to a group home in Eau Claire.

Police say Staskal killed his sister more than 20 years ago.

He was found guilty of murder, but was also found not legally responsible because of his mental condition.

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Posted Tuesday --- November 6, 2007 -- 11:01am

Father warns neighbors of dangerous son

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) -- The father of the son who killed his sister warned dozens of Eau Claire residents that his child remains a danger to society.

Mark Staskal was released to an Eau Claire group home Monday, despite objections from his parents and others. Staskal has been at the Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison for the last 23 years, after killing his 16-year-old sister, Marcy.

Staskal's father, Redgie, told those at an information meeting Monday that his son won't be able to handle it and could eventually kill again.

The elder Staskal says the group home doesn't have the resources or personnel to handle his son.

An attorney from the Eau Claire law firm Weld, Riley, Prenn and Ricci says it plans to file for a temporary restraining order to place Staskal elsewhere.

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Posted Monday --- November 5, 2007

The arrival of an inmate from our area sparks outrage in his new neighborhood.

Mark Staskal has been at Mendota Mental Health Institute for more than 20 years.

He is set to arrive at an Eau Claire group home Monday or Tuesday. Residents are holding meetings and voicing concerns about his release.

Staskal will have to wear an electronic ankle bracelet at the home, his parents have long-argued that he is not mentally fit to be released into the community.

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Posted Thursday --- November 1, 2007 --

Residents object to killer's new home

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) -- Some Eau Claire residents are objecting to a new neighbor -- a man convicted of killing his sister in 1984.

Mark Staskal has been granted release to a group home in their neighborhood. He's been at the Mendota Mental Health Institute since he was found not guilty by reason of mental disease in the fatal stabbing of his sister in Milton.

Gary Greenfield lives a couple houses from the group home. Greenfield says there's a big difference between rehabilitating people with disabilities and housing people with violent histories. Neighbors say they're concerned about security and the effect on property values.

A Rock County judge Wednesday approved the conditional release of the 44-year-old Staskal.

Earlier this year, Staskal's parents worked to prevent his release from the mental health facility. Melly and Redgie Staskal say their son suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.

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Posted Wednesday --- October 31, 2007 -- 6:06pm

A Janesville man whose been hospitalized in a mental institution since he killed his sister in 1984 could be released to a group home as soon as Thursday.

A Rock County judge ruled the Eau Claire facility could adequately house 43-year-old Mark Staskal.

He was found guilty murder, but was also found not to be legally responsible because of his mental condition.

Staskal's parents say he is too dangerous to be released into society and have fought to keep him at Mendoata Mental Health Institute.

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Posted Thursday --- October 11, 2007 6:31pm

Man Who Killed Sister Could be Transferred

A Rock County man convicted of killing his sister more than 20 years ago could be transferred to an Eau Claire group home.

Mark Staskal has been living at the Mendota Mental Health Institute since 1984.

Staskal's parents have long felt their son could still be a risk to the public, and they've fought to keep him in the institute.

In January, a Rock County judge reversed years of decisions to keep Staskal in Mendota.

The name of the Eau Claire group home will not be disclosed at this time.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Jenny Location: Madison on May 15, 2008 at 06:45 PM
Yes I agree,next to the judges would be most appropriate.

Posted by: T Location: madison on May 15, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Someone finally got some common sense

Posted by: B on May 15, 2008 at 03:22 PM
I still say a home next to the judge's house would be appropriate.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 15, 2008 at 09:52 AM
um what school? did it say? thas the dumbest thing ive ever heard, now if he for some reason is still a nut job hes got a couple hundred kids to pick from.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 14, 2008 at 04:50 PM
The US should buy 2 islands in the middle of no where, one for people with these mental issues and on for murders. They can be there own problem and if they kill each other well then they will know how there victims felt, scared for there lives!!!

Posted by: Beckie Location: Stoughton WI on May 14, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Staskal should live with whom ever has decided that he is safe for 5 years and then be allowed to live anywhere he wants.

Posted by: DOC Location: Madison on May 14, 2008 at 09:32 AM
There is so many things like this people do not know about! The Department of Corrections allows on a consistant basis major sex offenders to live on or near UW Campus! I can recall a few years ago on Spring Street the Department of Corrections had a entire building of criminals including sex offenders living on Spring Street in one building! They simply do not care! We as a community should be outraged at our criminal justice system! This system has so many terrible flaws that surely something terrible is going to happen in the near future! The system acts as if it keeps us informed but it really doesnt. I spent a better half of my young adult hood working for this system and came to realize that it was one big cover up and that if society really knew the truth they would be outraged! So to me this case doesnt suprise me one bit! If each of you really knew who they allow out and living next door to you and your children you would be sick and no the sex offender web page doesnt tell it

Posted by: Anonymous Location: madison on May 14, 2008 at 09:25 AM
They're releasing him and putting him near a school??? Who's the brain who decided this? Oh, sorry Judge...

Posted by: Tina Location: Madison on May 13, 2008 at 11:38 PM
He was provisionally released and it simply didn't work ... and his mother emphasizes that he needs to be in a situation where he is taken care of --- I am pretty shocked that he is being released and very saddened as well; I feel this is a case of the system failing all of us, including the man in question

Posted by: madison4u Location: madison on May 13, 2008 at 10:57 PM
I worry about about the other residents staying in the home where Staskal will be. I think Staskal is more of a danger to one of them since he is still violent and they have to sleep and interact with him in the house everyday. I would not want my relative staying in the same house Staskal was living at. Do they have any say-so in Staskal living there? He is a danger to them.

Posted by: Steve Location: Madison on May 13, 2008 at 04:54 PM
I guess the judge won't be satisfied until he kills someone else. What a stupid decision to make with this lunatic!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Why would you move someone with mental problems to a group home near a school. Can we say stupid.

Posted by: B on May 13, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Yes, stay with the judge. Maybe have him babysit his family members just to assure us all the judge really supports his release.

Posted by: rock county Location: rock county on May 13, 2008 at 02:57 PM
We dont want him either!! "Not in our backyard"!!

Posted by: B Location: MADISON on May 13, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Why is he not living in Rock County. That is where he was sentenced, and where the crime was committed.

Posted by: tonto Location: Madison on May 13, 2008 at 01:41 PM
We should forgive him and welcome him and his ideas to our comunity. We all have done bad things and no matter how bad we need forgiveness and the best way to forgive is by letting someone try to contribute to society. God bless you Kelie

Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 12:58 PM
I think this guy's family even says not to let him out, hey judge can he just stay at your house? You have more faith in him then we do and then to put him near a school parents gotta be happy.

Posted by: scared Location: madison on May 13, 2008 at 12:50 PM
i am not so sure about this one people!!! mental health issues do not just "go away" with time. they need appropriate and effective treatment; and i stress, appropriate and effective!!! just because someone has been locked up in a "facility" for 20 years does not necessarily constitute appropriate and effective treatment. any idea how stressed and overloaded those facility staff members are? they are great but can only do so much. i have seen no comments about his treatment. i also have to wonder why someone thinks that a group home near an elementary school is a good idea.

Posted by: D Location: Madison on May 13, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Hey If the Judge releases him into the public let him share his own house with him

Posted by: Geoff Location: Madison on May 13, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Thats why the whole mental disease issue is a shame. Fake you hear voices in your head, get sympathy from the judge, get sent to Mendota. 10 years down the road, you have been cured! Let him out and all is well! It's a frikin' joke and a loop hole to use. Nothing more, nothing less. Wonder if the doctor who declared him sane would like this guy to live next to him?? He better hope he is not in my neighborhood!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 20, 2007 at 12:08 PM
if he does commit another crime hope it is against the judge who is stupid enough tho let him out!!!!!

Posted by: Laura Location: Madison on Dec 20, 2007 at 10:30 AM
I worked for the Staskal family while attending college in Whitewater. They were wonderful to work for and made our environment more like a family than a work place. People should not judge and make assumptions about others they do not know. Know Better is assuming that a bad family life caused this man's illness - which is ridiculous. Imagine having to deal with the loss of your daughter by the hand of your son. This is not a matter of idolizing and hating, it's about keeping their son and community safe.

Posted by: kim Location: madison on Dec 20, 2007 at 08:46 AM
So what makes him so different from the other killers out there that get out in 5 years or 10? Most people go to prison for 25 years for killing someone...23 years is pretty close and he has obviously made some improvement other wise this wouldn't be an issue.

Posted by: K Location: janesville on Dec 20, 2007 at 08:34 AM
I think Mark should move in with the judge that ruled for his release. Does the judge not care that whatever county/city he is released into, the citizens will fear for their lives?

Posted by: shorty Location: Madison on Dec 19, 2007 at 09:09 PM
Oh, don't worry folks! Remember, keeping him at Mendota is really no different than letting him live in the community anyway! Does anyone remember when the rocket scientists at Mendota took a group of the kiddies to Old Country Buffet last year, on the east side of Madison, and one of them just managed to walk away? Like I said, dude may as well live in the community anyway, since it seems Mendota has such screwed up programs to take confined treatment cases into the community and let them walk away!

Posted by: Sara Location: Madison on Dec 19, 2007 at 08:29 PM
I have to wonder about the reasons the judge has for releasing Mr. Staskal, especially since his own parents have come out in support of keeping him at Mendota. Is it a way to save money? It is because he's really not that dangerous anymore? I would seriously like to know what's going on as far as the reasoning behind this decision, especially since this decision could impact others outside the situation.

Posted by: Lee Location: Madison on Dec 19, 2007 at 06:56 PM
He should not be released into society. He is a nut case and will probably prey on women or children. I would not want him released into my neighborhood let alone anyone else's.

Posted by: Michelle Location: Rockford, IL on Dec 5, 2007 at 10:03 AM
Marcy was my babysitter when this took place, even scarier, Mark babysat for us on occasion too. Personally knowing these people makes the thought of him getting out that much worse. I don't want to have to live the rest of my life in fear because Mark is out there able to live a normal life! I have an aunt who has the same mental illness as Mark, but she has never killed anyone. If she had, I would support her being in a facility for the rest of her life! The Staskal family has been through enough and they deserve the peace of mind that their son will not be able to do anything like this again!

Posted by: s Location: madison on Nov 19, 2007 at 01:30 PM
i have posted a few comments here and there to voice my opinion, nothing terrible, why is it never posted? all these others are pretty harsh strange to me?

Posted by: Lilanne Location: Janesville, Wi. on Nov 16, 2007 at 08:17 PM
He really needs to be in jail with the rest of those animals... Then again who's paying to keep him alive and ready to murder and rape somebody else's child... No matter how you look at it we are all somebodys daughter, sister, mother, aunt, brother, father, uncle. So lets do the right thing to keep him from hurting someone else before it's to late

Posted by: Hunter Location: Madison on Nov 6, 2007 at 10:49 AM
Those who commit crimes and are released should be released to the county in which they committed the crime. Offenders should not be exported to other counties or cities. We need a state law to such effect. Lord help the Judge from Rock Co. if Staskal commits another violent crime.

Posted by: JJ Location: Dane on Nov 5, 2007 at 05:21 PM
Absolute Failure of the Justice System !!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 1, 2007 at 05:18 PM
I cannot imagine the horror the family has gone through. If the family does not think he is well enough it would be hard for them to accept that he is judged to be well enough to go to a group home. However, if he is on some level recovering, then it would be wrong to keep him totally locked away after 23 years. We do not know how he will be monitored, what tests or medical/psychological analysis were done. We are only citizens that see the horror of what was done. At some point we do need to trust the"system" and the professionals that did the accessment of him. I think that he should be monitored for the rest of his life and subject to random tests.

Posted by: S Location: Madison on Nov 1, 2007 at 02:48 PM
I cannot imagine having a child and knowing he is a sociopath. How absolutely horrifying for this family, and for the Eau Claire community. I am not looking forward to hearing the results of letting this man out of lockup.

Posted by: Lisa on Nov 1, 2007 at 10:47 AM
WOW! How nice that is. Let another murder loose to prey on the innocent. If his parents say keep him locked up, shouldn't they know what's best for society.

Posted by: Know better on Nov 1, 2007 at 10:05 AM
The Staskal family has never forgiven their son for the action. They have idolized the daughter and have hated the son for years. The father (specifically) does not want his son released. It may be because of embarrassments for the way he has treated him. The mental problems may be a family thing. The whole family needs help. The son should not be locked up if he is healthy enough to be free. This boys life must have been horrible before and after he committed the horrible crime. Hopefully he will be accepted into the community in Eau Claire. It is a good thing that he does not come here. It is pretty clear that he would only be victimized more. Think about it!

Posted by: a friend Location: rock county on Nov 1, 2007 at 09:45 AM
nice going to the judge. He needs to live with the judge.... i went to Marcie,s funeral with a group of Her friends and it broke their hearts to lose a great friend and a sweet girl like Marcie.. he better not ever come to Milton as this will upset alot of her former class mates...

Posted by: Renee on Oct 14, 2007 at 08:54 PM
Don, very good point. Especially when his own family does not want him out. And yet a judge that knows nothing about him is allowed to make this decision.

Posted by: Don on Oct 11, 2007 at 10:44 PM
Lets see... the Staskal family want their son to stay in Mendota. The judge states that he can go to a group home. I have a better idea: let Mark Staskal live at the judges house. Under those conditions would the judge still remove him from Mendota? I think not. When will we ever learn?

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