An Aspen judge has ruled that a former Aspen resident who pushed a snowboarder off of a chairlift at Aspen Highlands last winter is not guilty by reason of insanity.
District Judge Chris Seldin issued the ruling on Monday after a state psychologist testified that 32-year-old Thomas Proesel was insane when he pushed the snowboarder off the Loge’s Peak lift on January 17th after he got upset with an innocuous comment made by the snowboarder. The victim fell 20-25 feet but landed in a pile of fresh powder and wasn’t injured.
Prosel was diagnosed with schizophrenia by the state psychologist and had been previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Judge Seldin ordered Prosel to report to the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo by noon today. Prosel’s father, who quickly arranged treatment for his son after the incident, was allowed by the court to transport him to the facility.
Mental health professionals will now work with Prosel and his family to set up ongoing treatment and determine whether he can be released in the future.
