Schaffhausen attorney: Stop mental health visits

Thursday September 20, 2012 7:00 AM

HUDSON, Wis. (AP) — The attorney for the man accused of killing his three daughters in Wisconsin is asking a court to stop a mental health professional from visiting the defendant in jail.

Attorney John Kucinski says the mental health worker is an "agent of the state" and that the repeated visits violate Aaron Schaffhausen's constitutional rights. Kucinski says the prosecutor and jail staff are working together to document information about Schaffhausen that can be used against him. He argues the documentation might hurt an insanity defense if they decide to pursue it.

The Star Tribune (http://tinyurl.com/8ruczhl ) reports Kucinski has cited a sheriff's sergeant memo directing jailers to document Schaffhausen's behavior, visits and interactions. The Minot, N.D., carpenter is charged with killing 11-year-old Amara, 8-year-old Sophia and 5-year-old Cecilia Schaffhausen.

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