RF man charged with holding therapist at knifepoint

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A River Falls man made his first appearance in Pierce County Circuit Court last week on charges of false imprisonment.

Steven J. Schutz, 52, is charged with the Class H felony for allegedly holding a Pierce County employee without her consent in August. His next court date is a Dec. 3 preliminary hearing.

According to the criminal complaint, Schutz had an appointment with a county mental health therapist at 10 a.m. Aug. 1, and within 10 minutes, he pulled a knife and pointed it at her. She told Ellsworth police Schutz refused her request to leave twice.

The victim said Schutz repeatedly mentioned suicide -- how suicidal he is and how desperately he craves it. While they were talking, Schutz allegedly took out two small Virgin Mary statutes and said one a good Mary and the other a bad Mary. The bad Mary, Schutz allegedly said, was telling him he was worthless and egging on his suicidal thoughts and the good Mary wasn’t being very helpful.

The therapist reported Schutz said, “I need to die, and I need to do it here today.”

The victim also said police had previously taken away Schutz’s guns, which increased his anger, this time at the county.

The woman said Schutz told her, “I planned on coming here and blowing up the county building today… instead I’m just going to kill myself.”

For more please read the Oct. 3 print version of the Herald.

Tags: area news, news, crime, courts, wisconsin