Mandan woman accused of attempted murder committed to State Hospital rather than imprisoned (2024)

A Mandan woman accused of attempted murder after allegedly stabbing another woman with sewing shears last year was committed to the State Hospital on Tuesday rather than face a criminal trial.

Sabrina Kraus was ordered committed for a maximum of 15 years by South Central District Judge Bobbi Weiler. Attorneys for Kraus and Morton County agreed to a period of commitment on the charge for what was described as Kraus' "mental health disorder."

As part of the agreement, a number of criminal charges will be dismissed -- aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, tampering with evidence and preventing arrest, according to Assistant Morton County State's Attorney Joshua Breeze. Kraus's commitment will include credit for the 416 days spent in custody or at the State Hospital prior to Tuesday's proceeding.

Weiler said commitment in the defendant's case was appropriate after a prior risk assessment at the State Hospital determined Kraus, now 53, to be a "danger to the community."

The risk assessment was conducted after an April hearing during which attorneys stipulated Kraus had committed the crime of attempted murder but was not guilty due to a lack of criminal responsibility, according to Weiler.

Since her arrest on May 7, 2023, Kraus has been the subject of multiple court-ordered criminal responsibility and mental health evaluations,according to court documents.

State law defines criminal responsibility as a person's ability or inability to comprehend the consequences of his or her actions. Evaluations of this type are sometimes ordered to determine a person's ability to assist in their defense during a criminal trial.

"The State Hospital will determine the length of treatment," Weiler said.

There will be yearly hearings to update the court on Kraus's status in regards to her eligibility of being released from the hospital or subjected to other treatment options that might be ordered by the court.

Defense attorney David Dusek told Weiler that Kraus favored the agreement that would see her treated for mental health and drug-use issues.

"She's been very much on board with it," Dusek said. "And really looking forward to getting this done."

Charges against Kraus were brought after she allegedly stabbed another woman inside the woman's Mandan apartment in the 200 block of Second Avenue Northeast with a pair of sewing scissors then left the scene, according to an affidavit. The woman was identified in court during Tuesday's proceeding as Kim Huber. Kraus and Huber were neighbors in the apartment building, according to an affidavit.

Huber spoke at the hearing and told Weiler that while she "has horrible scars all over my body" from the stab wounds Kraus reportedly inflicted and suffers from anxiety and trust issues as a result of being attacked, she was in favor of Kraus's commitment.

"I am glad she's going to get help," Huber said.

The attack began after Huber asked Kraus to leave Huber's apartment, according to the affidavit.Kraus allegedly repeatedly stabbed Huber with a pair of scissors then struck Huber with a piece of wood. Huber attempted to defend herself with a gun, but the weapon did not fire and Kraus was able to leave the apartment, prompting Huber to lock the door and call 911, the affidavit states.

Huber was transported to Sanford Hospital. Mandan police responded to the hospital, where they learned of the attack and Kraus' identity,according to the affidavit.

Upon responding to the apartment building, Mandan police officers and detectives attempted to contact Kraus, who refused to comply, and told officers she was armed and willing to use a firearm, the affidavit states.

Kraus' mention of a possible firearm prompted Mandan police to alert the West Dakota SWAT Team, the affidavit states. SWAT officers responded, evacuated the apartment building, shut down surrounding streets and established a secure perimeter while an arrest warrant was sought.

Kraus was taken into custodyfollowing a standoff that lasted some three hours. Police using a search warrant for the apartment recovered a pair of scissors matching those described by Huber as the scissors Kraus used in the attack, according to the affidavit. The scissors showed evidence of having been recently cleaned, but the search revealed a towel with what appeared to be blood stains, the affidavit states.

No firearms were found in Kraus' apartment, according to the affidavit.