Man Found Guilty in Shakopee Beheading
A Scott County judge has found 44-year-old Alexis Saborit guilty of decapitating his girlfriend with a machete and dumping her body near downtown Shakopee.
The victim, America Thayer, 55
Saborit was found guilty of 1st-degree premeditated murder in the July 2021 killing of America Thayer, 55. A Scott County judge made the ruling Thursday, May 11 after a stipulated facts trial. Saborit had earlier waived his right to a jury trial.
Saborit is an undocumented immigrant who had been residing in Shakopee with Thayer at a hotel.
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Thayer, a 55-year-old mother from Shakopee, was found decapitated outside of her car at an intersection near Fourth Ave. and Spencer St. in July 2021. Saborit was found about a mile away from the scene and a short time later and arrested without incident.
It was a case that gained nationwide attention due to the graphic nature of Thayer’s death. Documents said Saborit used a dumbell to beat Thayer in the head, knocked her unconscious and then used a machete to decapitate her.
PREVIOUSLY: Woman Killed in 'Grisly' Homicide in Shakopee
The court found Saborit attacked Thayer as they drove to a previously scheduled court appearance. According to court documents, witnesses said they saw Saborit pull a headless body out of a car and run away.
A dumbbell and machete were later found near the intersection, according to police.
A stipulated facts trial is a legal proceeding where the prosecution and defense in a criminal case agree to certain facts to simplify the process without a full trial. In a stipulated trial, both the prosecution and defense agree to the facts related to the case, which are then presented to the court for the sentencing decision.
In her ruling, Chief Judge Caroline Lennon found the "nature of the assault" proved his intent to kill Thayer and that his possession of the machete, their tumultuous relationship that was marked by arguments and abuse, along with his threats to her leading up to the killing, showed premeditation and warranted a 1st-degree murder conviction.
The charge of 1st-degree premeditated murder carries a mandatory life sentence. A review hearing in the case is set for June 1.
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PREVIOUSLY: Woman Killed in 'Grisly' Homicide in Shakopee