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Co-Worker Charged In Schaffhausen Trial

HUDSON, Wis. (AP/WCCO) -- Security will be tighter at the St. Croix County courthouse where jurors will decide whether a North Dakota man was sane when he killed his three young daughters.

A co-worker of Aaron Schaffhausen has been arrested and charged of threatening a witness. Authorities say the arrest stemmed from an incident Friday, the same day there was a security issue at the St. Croix County Government Center.

The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram says employees and visitors would be screened Monday as they enter the courthouse.

The co-worker -- Joseph Rollag, of Andover, Minn. -- posted$50,000 cash bond. He was ordered to take all his medications and to follow all mental health recommendations. He is currently restricted from having contact with prosecuting attorneys, the judge and witnesses in the trial, who authorities said he made threats against.

He was also ordered to stay 50 feet away from the government center unless escorted by an attorney for court proceedings.

He has another court appearance scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. He is facing charges of battery or threats to a witness, possession of a switchblade, carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct.

Schaffhausen's sanity trial is in its second week. Schaffhausen has pleaded guilty to killing 11-year-old Amara, 8-year-old Sophie and 5-year-old Cecilia at their house in River Falls last July.

Joseph Rollag
Joseph Rollag (credit: St. Croix County Sheriff's Office)

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