In a significant legal decision, a Wisconsin judge has ordered the release of Morgan Geyser, a woman who, at the tender age of 12, was involved in a shocking crime where she stabbed a classmate, all in the name of an online horror character named Slender Man. Geyser has spent nearly seven years in a psychiatric hospital but has shown notable improvement in managing her mental health.
At a recent hearing, Judge Michael Bohren reviewed testimonies from three mental health experts who indicated that Geyser had made commendable strides in her treatment. As a result, the judge concluded that she was no longer a threat to society. Geyser had previously petitioned for her release multiple times since June 2022, with varying results.
During the hearing, the judge acknowledged the gravity of Geyser’s past actions, characterizing the crime as “brutal” but emphasized her need to reintegrate into society as part of her rehabilitation. He ordered state health officials to create a plan for her transition into a supervised group home setting.
When Geyser and her accomplice, Anissa Weier, were just 12 years old, they lured their friend Payton Leutner to a park after a sleepover, resulting in Geyser stabbing Leutner 19 times under the belief that they would become servants to Slender Man. Miraculously, Leutner survived the attack.
Geyser was diagnosed with mental illness and ultimately pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide, leading to her commitment to the psychiatric institution in 2018. Weier also faced legal consequences, pleading guilty to a lesser charge and was released in 2021 to live with her father.
Experts who testified unanimously supported Geyser’s release, noting her positive changes over the past six months, including the successful management of her medication and her commitment to personal growth. They voiced concerns that continued confinement might lead to despair and hinder her chances of reintegration.
However, not all opinions were favorable. An assistant district attorney expressed skepticism regarding Geyser’s trustworthiness, citing past evaluations where she suggested her mental health issues may have been exaggerated. Nonetheless, the judge maintained that mental health diagnoses could naturally evolve over time.
This case illustrates the complex interplay between mental health treatment and public safety, as well as the challenges faced in the juvenile justice system when dealing with severe offenses committed by minors.
