HUDSON, Wis. (KMSP) -
The father who claims he is not guilty of murdering his three daughters due to insanity was back in court on Thursday as attorneys argued over access to his mental health records, specifically notes from jail.
Aaron Schaffhausen, 35, is accused of killing 5-year-old Cecilia, 8-year-old Sophie and 11-year-old Amara Schaffhausen during a visit in July. Since then, he's been held in jail and is now reportedly on suicide watch.
Schaffhausen sat silent, unmoving again in court on Thursday, but his defender, John Kucinski, got a rise out of the judge after he responded to a claim that he was overcomplicating the process with a quip.
"No sniping. Not allowed," Judge Howard Cameron warned.
Given that Schaffhausen has pled not guilty by reason of insanity, all his mental health records are to be shared with the prosecution; however, Kucinski argued that notes from jail don't fit that definition and shouldn't have to be disclosed.
Prosecutor Gary Freyberg argued that they need to see everything in order to prepare, and the judge agreed -- yet in the end, it seems the struggle much have been much ado about nothing.
"They can go get them," Kucinski said. "There's nothing in them."
Cameron also denied a second motion from the defense to move the trial. It will remain in Hudson and begin on April 1.
