Woodbury teen gets 90 days' jail for bizarre murder plot

Andrew Busskohl, the teenage Woodbury heart transplant patient who conceived a bizarre murder plot to cut out the heart of a stranger, was sentenced to three months in jail and ordered to undergo further psychological counseling and examination to determine whether he might attempt such a crime again. Neighbors are frightened he could, a victim statement said.

Attorneys for Busskohl, 19, told Washington County District Judge Elizabeth Martin that their client hadn't been treated psychologically after undergoing a heart transplant at 14. "As a result of that Mr. Busskohl had some very bizarre thoughts that he acted on," said attorney John Lucas. "It's hard for him to explain where these thoughts came from, but they're not there anymore."

At the time of his transplant, Busskohl said he wanted to become a surgeon. When he was 12, he spent 10 months in the hospital on medications that kept him alive while he waited for a new heart.

Prosecutors in Washington County said they had never seen a case as bizarre as this one.

In addition to 90 days in the county jail, with seven suspended, Martin sentenced Busskohl to four years' probation for two gross misdemeanors -- one for aggravated harassment and another for damage to property. Both are related to Busskohl's threat to kill Woodbury resident Jim Fratto as he slept and then to cut out his heart and eyelids.

About a dozen other people seated in the courtroom, including defendants waiting for their scheduled appearances, edged forward on their chairs Monday when Busskohl expressed his remorse to the court for the first time. The short young man, known as Fuzz to his elementary school classmates in Oakdale for his close-cropped blond hair, wore a black suit. Attorney Robert Pauley placed his hand on Busskohl's back, encouraging him.

"I do understand that what I've done is wrong and extremely scary," he told Martin. "I would like to apologize for all that I've done."

One condition of the plea agreement, Martin said, is that a forensic psychiatrist produce a more complete "threat assessment" of Busskohl's possible capacity to commit similar crimes.

Fratto, in a victim statement read in court by prosecutor John Fristik, said that, because of Busskohl's threats, Fratto can't sleep and barricades himself in his bedroom at night. Residents in the neighborhood where both men live, he said, fear that Busskohl will harm somebody.

"Andrew's plan to attack an innocent person when they are most vulnerable is most disturbing to us," Fratto wrote. "For me this was a terroristic attack on my life and Andrew needs to be disciplined so he never does this again."

Busskohl broke Fratto's patio window early on Aug. 6, intending to fulfill his murder plot, but never entered the house. Police searched his home and vehicle, where they found a backpack with a swimming cap, heavy latex gloves, scrubs, gauze and Fratto's address along with a map to his house. Also in the backpack were shoe covers, a small pry bar, black mask, two bags, a knife and flashlights, as well as tweezers, scissors and a scalpel.

Fratto, in his letter to the court, pointed out that when Busskohl was arrested for shoplifting in Oakdale earlier this year, he had stolen a pocket knife, butane fluid and other materials that suggested ingredients for a bomb. In Monday's sentencing, Busskohl said the butane fluid and other items related to his course study in prosthetics at Century College. He said he didn't know why he took the knife.

But Judge Martin summed: "I don't think we're out of the woods yet."

Busskohl's attorneys asked whether suitable medical treatment would be available in the county jail. Lucas described his client's medical needs as complex and fragile. In response, Martin approved furloughs from jail for medical and psychological appointments. Busskohl also must pay $517 for breaking a window at Fratto's residence.

Busskohl pleaded guilty in April. In exchange, a felony first-degree burglary charge was dropped. A judge in January dismissed an attempted first-degree murder charge.

Busskohl will go to jail after July 2 during a break from school.

After the sentencing, Martin leaned over the bench to talk with Busskohl. "You're doing well and I want you to keep it up," she said.