Mark Pavelich
Mark Pavelich’s court case has been extended to late June, 2020, and the court anticipates setting the next hearing within two weeks of June 26. The status of the 1980 U.S. Olympic “Miracle on Ice” hockey star has not changed, as far as where he is housed or his commitment status.
On August 15, 2019, Mark Pavelich, 61, was arrested at his Lutsen home after allegedly assaulting a neighbor with a metal pipe following an afternoon of fishing.
Pavelich accused James T. Miller, 63, of “spiking his beer” as the reason for attacking him. Miller was transferred to the hospital, where he was found to have a bruised kidney, two cracked ribs, and a fractured vertebra.
Mark was arraigned in District Court in Grand Marais on Monday, August 19, 2019.
During his court appearance Pavelich was charged with four felony counts, second and third-degree assault, for allegedly striking his neighbor with a metal pole. Additionally, he was also charged with having an illegally shortened shotgun whose serial numbers had been filed off.
On October 28, Judge Cuzzo found Pavelich to be mentally incompetent to stand trial, and he was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation. Duluth psychologist Dr. Chris Bowerman and Dr. Jacquiline Buffington each met with Pavelich and examined him.
Dr. Jacqueline Buffington found Mark to suffer from “mild neurocognitive disorder” due to traumatic brain injury likely related to a series of head injuries sustained over a lifetime.
Dr. Buffington also diagnosed: “Post-traumatic stress disorder” and “some cognitive disturbance,” adding that during an interview, Pavelich responded irreverently at times and “struggled to find words to express himself.
“He believes he has been poisoned, and friends and family have damaged his property,” said Dr. Buffington.
Dr. Bowerman said that Mark stated he was a victim of attempted poisoning by his family, friends, and neighbors. Since 2015 he had gotten back at those folks who were allegedly trying to harm him by damaging their property.
Dr. Bowerman also noted that Pavelich indicated he would be justified in harming another person to the point of death if he believed his life was in danger.
On December 5, 2019 Judge Cuzzo ordered Pavelich to be committed to a secure state facility and examined. Treatment providers originally had 60 days to file a treatment plan for Pavelich, and file that with the court.
In his order, Judge Cuzzo determined, “As a result of his mental illness, he presents a clear danger to the safety of others and has engaged in an act causing or attempting serious physical harm to another.
“There is a substantial likelihood that he will engage in acts capable of inflicting physical harm on another in the future.”
Today Mark is committed in a secure state treatment facility. He was supposed to have a hearing in February to determine whether he should stay committed for a certain length of time, or be released so he can stand trial for his alleged offenses he has been charged with. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and disruption to the court system, Mark will have to await his hearing awhile longer.
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