After three years of evaluations, Levi Axtell found competent to stand trial

The criminal case against Levi William Axtell, 30, is set to resume after he was found competent to stand trial in late May.

Axtell is charged with the murder of Lawrence Scully, 77, a Grand Marais resident who was killed at his home more than three years ago with a shovel and a moose antler.

The ruling follows a competency hearing on April 2 at the Cook County Courthouse, where psychologist Dr. Darci Wikelius testified on her latest Rule 20.01 evaluation reports. Court-ordered Rule 20.01 evaluations assess a defendant’s competence to proceed in a court case.

Since being charged in March 2023, Axtell has been housed at the Forensic Mental Health Program in St. Peter, Minn., a residential facility for adults with mental illness. During that time, he has undergone multiple court-ordered evaluations with psychologists reaching differing conclusions about his competency to stand trial.

Levi Axtell, 30, found competent to stand trial | Photo by Cook County Sheriff’s Office

Dr. Wikelius conducted the latest evaluations of Axtell in July 2025 and again in December of 2025.

Throughout the past three years of evaluations, psychologists have described Axtell as “diagnostically difficult” due to mental illness complicated by substance use and other diagnoses. Determining his competency to stand trial has been a central issue in the case, resulting in multiple evaluations and delaying court proceedings.

During her April 2 testimony about the December 2025 evaluation, Dr. Wikelius said Axtell demonstrated a greater understanding that his actions were wrong and showed improved cognitive functioning, increased honesty, and a stronger sense of accountability.

Dr. Wikelious said that while Axtell maintains “irrational thoughts,” his thought process was “more logical.” In past evaluations, psychologists have cited that Axtell continues to ruminate on the belief that he is a “hero” for murdering Scully.

“While Mr. Axtell continues to express unconventional and troubling beliefs regarding sexual offenders, the Court finds those beliefs are no longer so rigid or delusionally fixed as to prevent meaningful participation in his defense,” Judge Steve Hanke wrote.

Cook County Attorney Jeanne Peterson and Assistant Minnesota Attorney General Dan Vlieger urged the court to adopt the findings of Dr. Wikelius’ December 2025 evaluation and rule that Axtell is competent to stand trial.

Defense attorneys Tyson Smith and Christa Groshek opposed the finding, arguing that Axtell remains incompetent to stand trial. They challenged the reliability and credibility of Dr. Wikelius’ testimony and evaluations and asserted that the state had not met its burden of establishing competency.

The court will hold a scheduling hearing on June 17.

Kalli Hawkins June 3, 2026