Minnesota Court Vacates Criminal Sexual Conduct Charge and Conviction of Psychiatrist Thomas G. Gratzer on Statute of Limitations Grounds

July 29, 2024

On June 27, 2024, the Fourth Judicial District Court granted Minnesota psychiatrist Thomas G. Gratzer’s petition for post-conviction relief.

"Post-conviction relief" allows a criminal defendant to challenge the outcome of the conviction or judgment against them that has otherwise become final.

Gratzer’s petition asserted that he was denied effective counsel because his attorneys failed to assert a statute of limitations defense regarding when the state’s prosecutor filed its criminal complaint against Gratzer. Had his attorneys responded with a motion on the grounds that the statute of limitations for the crime charged had passed, the case would have been dismissed prior to trial.

The Statement of Probable Cause (grounds to arrest Gratzer) filed by the Edina Police Department states “On February 8, 2022, Victim, an adult female…reported that she was sexually assaulted by…Thomas Gabor Gratzer…multiple times during her childhood. Victim reported that the abuse happened in her childhood home which was located in Edina, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Victim reported that the abuse started the summer before she entered 4th grade and occurred many times after. Victim was able to provide significant detail about the abuse, including specific instances. Victim reported that the abuse included vaginal penetration and oral sex.”

Court documents indicate that the initial date of Gratzer’s offense involving the minor was August 2008.

Gratzer was convicted June 13, 2023 for having engaged in sexual conduct with a child under the age of 13. He was sentenced August 18, 2023 to 144 months prison. With the granting of post-conviction relief, the conviction is voided and the charges are dismissed.

In the Order Granting Postconviction Relief, Judge Paul R. Scoggin noted:

“This Court notes that having heard the entirety of the trial there is little doubt that Defendant [Gratzer] was subtle, manipulative, and mean

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“Nothing in this finding should be taken as suggesting the reported cruelty did not happen. The Jury found, and this Court agrees, that they did. Nothing here suggests actual innocence. This Court is simply finding the complaint was filed too late.”

Source: Complaint, Warrant of Commitment, and Order Granting Postconviction Relief and in State of Minnesota vs. Thomas Gabor Gratzer, Court File Number 27-CR-22-12422, Fourth Judicial District Court, June 27, 2024.