On March 8th, 2023, Levi Axtell, Grand Marais, Minnesota walked into a police station "covered in blood."  He proceeded to confess to beating a man repeatedly with a shovel and "finishing him off" with a moose antler.

The 27-year-old man was taken into custody and arraigned on second-degree murder charges in the death of 77-year-old Lawrence V. Scully.

Scully had a history, as an abuser according to Cook County court documents. He was a convicted sex offender who molested a 6-year-old girl in 1979. 

At the time he was convicted, he was 33 years old. He entered a guilty plea. And was sentenced to up to five years in prison. 

He remained in prison until December 31, 1981. At that time, he petitioned for post-conviction relief. A document from the 1981 hearing declared that the state had not proven that Scully would present a continuing danger to the public.

Axtell claimed that he killed Scully because he believed he was stalking his toddler daughter at her daycare.

Axtell and other community members had long been suspicious of Scully parking his vehicle at parks, schools, and daycares. He seemed to gravitate to areas where children were present. 

In 2014, Scully filed as a candidate for mayor of Grand Marais. And the townspeople claim he was behaving badly around the local youth.

By 2018, he was once again facing allegations of sexual misconduct with minors. 

2018 was also the year that Axtell sought an order of protection. He alleged Scully was stalking his child. The request was temporarily granted by Judge Michael Cuzzo. The legal order blocked Scully from being within six blocks of the Axtell family. 

Judge Cuzzo refused to make the order permanent. And claimed there was not enough evidence to keep it in place.

Court records show that Scully was exhibiting unusual behavior. And was eventually hospitalized. In 2020 he had a stay in a mental hospital. But was later released and treated with anti-psychotic drugs.

Moose antler murder weapon

The medical examiner also noted that Scully had defensive wounds on his arms.

Levi Axtell had a single criminal record involving felony damage to a property case. 

Sheriff Pat Eliasen said they had been made aware of allegations against Scully, but an investigation "didn't reveal anything."

The case has drawn national attention due to the circumstances surrounding Scully's death. And the fact that Axtell used a moose antler as a weapon.