DULUTH - The suspect in an apparent random Duluth supermarket slaying has been civilly committed for mental health treatment, further postponing his prosecution.
Jesse Alan Dahlstrom, 36, of Duluth will be committed to a state hospital for six months while he receives treatment, according to the St. Louis County Attorney's Office. Court documents indicate that he has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
Dahlstrom is charged with premeditated first-degree murder in the stabbing death of 75-year-old Sally Pionk of Proctor at the West Duluth Super One Foods store on Dec. 11.
Authorities have said the knife attack appeared to be unprovoked and that Pionk was unknown to Dahlstrom.
No determination has been made by a judge regarding Dahlstrom’s competency to stand trial, and proceedings will remain suspended until further court order.
