The 2014 “Slender Man” stabbing case sent shockwaves across the globe. Two preteen girls, Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, lured their classmate, Payton Leutner, into a wooded area and stabbed her multiple times. Their motive? To appease the fictional online entity known as Slender Man. Now, nearly a decade later, Morgan Geyser, now 21, is petitioning for release from a mental health facility.
The incident occurred in Waukesha, Wisconsin, when Geyser and Weier, then both 12 years old, attacked Leutner during what was supposed to be a friendly game of hide-and-seek. Geyser, armed with a kitchen knife, stabbed Leutner 19 times while Weier urged her on. Miraculously, Leutner managed to crawl to a nearby road where a passing cyclist discovered her and called for help.
Authorities apprehended Geyser and Weier shortly after the attack. During questioning, the girls reportedly exhibited a chilling lack of remorse, claiming they committed the act to appease Slender Man, a fictional horror figure often depicted as an unnaturally tall and thin figure with a featureless face.
The case highlighted the dark side of internet culture and the potential influence of online horror content on young minds. Geyser and Weier had become fixated on Slender Man through online forums and stories, believing him to be real and fearing for their families’ safety if they didn’t carry out his supposed bidding.
In 2018, Geyser was found guilty of attempted first-degree intentional homicide but was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. She was sentenced to 40 years in a mental health institution. Weier received a 25-year sentence under similar conditions.
Now, Geyser’s legal team is arguing that she has undergone extensive treatment and no longer poses a threat to society. Her petition for conditional release has ignited debate about rehabilitation, the justice system’s approach to young offenders, and the complexities of mental illness.
Legal experts say Geyser will likely face a rigorous evaluation process. Court-appointed psychiatrists and psychologists will assess her mental state, considering factors such as her treatment progress, risk of recidivism, and ability to reintegrate into society.
The case has drawn comparisons to Anissa Weier’s situation. Granted conditional release in 2021, Weier currently lives under strict supervision, including mandatory outpatient psychiatric treatment and GPS monitoring. While her successful reintegration may bolster Geyser’s case, legal experts emphasize that each case is unique.
Ultimately, the decision to grant Geyser conditional release rests with the judge, who will weigh the expert evaluations, the severity of the crime, and the potential risks and benefits of releasing Geyser back into society. The court will undoubtedly face immense pressure to reach a just and safe resolution in this highly sensitive and closely watched case.
