At the hearing, forensic psychiatrist Craig Schoenecker testified that he had diagnosed Kuester with schizoaffective disorder, and that the symptoms include delusions. He said he believed Kuester was delusional when he committed the murders.

Schoenecker also told the court that Kuester had been diagnosed with several types of mental illness over the past 10 years. But he said he saw none of the symptoms of those previous diagnoses when he examined Kuester.

Lafayette County District Attorney Kate Findley said the killings were among the most vicious crimes ever committed in the county. The fact that Kuester chose the Thoresons at random to murder continues to frighten residents of the largely rural county, she said. She asked Foust to sentence Kuester to three consecutive life commitments to a mental health institution.

Foust acknowledged the request but instead included conditions that Kuester never be released from confinement. “There are no winners in this courtroom today, only people who have lost,” Foust said.

Kreil told Kuester from the witness stand that he can’t use mental illness as an excuse. “You are not a victim in this case,” she said.