Delays in Conditional Release for ‘Slender Man’ Case Convict
In a recent court hearing, the conditional release of Morgan Geyser, one of the two teens convicted in the infamous “Slender Man” stabbing case, has been postponed once more. This decision arose from concerns regarding the distance of her proposed living arrangements from the victim, Payton Leutner, now 22 years old.
Background of the Case
The incident dates back over a decade when Geyser and her accomplice, Anissa Weier, attacked their sixth-grade friend, Payton Leutner, under the belief that a fictional character, “Slender Man,” had compelled them to do so. During that horrific event in May 2014, they lured Leutner to a wooded area, where Geyser infamously stabbed her multiple times.
Recent Court Developments
On April 11, 2024, Geyser appeared in court intending to finalize her conditional release; however, objections from prosecutors halted the process. Assistant District Attorney Ted Szczupakiewicz highlighted a significant issue: the planned group home for Geyser was located just eight miles from where Leutner resides. This proximity raised serious safety concerns.
Szczupakiewicz stated, “We have a large problem… the entire state of Wisconsin, judge, and we have a plan that has her 8 miles away!”
Victim and Family’s Perspectives
Payton Leutner’s mother, Stacie, expressed deep apprehension regarding Geyser’s potential relocation. Speaking via Zoom, she demanded clarity on how her daughter’s safety concerns were addressed in the proposed plan. “What consideration has been given to Payton’s rights and her needs for safety?” Stacie Leutner questioned, emphasizing that her daughter deserves a life free from the fear of encountering her assailant.
According to Stacie, Leutner has put in significant effort to heal from the trauma inflicted during the attack, stating, “She deserves the right to engage in everyday activities, such as grocery shopping or visiting the library, without the agonizing fear of encountering the individual who held her down and stabbed her 19 times when she was just 12 years old.”
Judicial Response
Judge Michael Bohren, overseeing the case, voiced his dissatisfaction that the safety concerns had not been adequately discussed before the hearing. He ordered officials to identify a more suitable group home for Geyser, granting a deadline of 30 days to present an alternative.
“This is what some people may refer to as a high-profile case where t’s are to be crossed and i’s dotted to be sure all rights are protected,” Judge Bohren remarked.
Next Steps
Geyser’s conditional release hearing has been postponed to early June, marking the third delay in her conditional release process. The defense and the prosecution have yet to comment on these developments.
Overview of the Incident
In 2014, after a sleepover, Geyser and Weier led Leutner into the woods, where Geyser acted on Weier’s encouragement to stab her. They believed that committing the act would secure their allegiance to Slender Man, whom they considered a protective entity. Remarkably, Leutner survived the attack after crawling to safety and being discovered by a passerby.
Geyser was convicted of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and sentenced in 2018 to a maximum of 40 years of state mental health supervision. Although she has spent nearly a decade at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, she has the option to petition for release every six months. Despite assertions from the state to keep her institutionalized, Judge Bohren ruled that she was no longer a threat to society.
Conclusion
The ongoing scrutiny surrounding Geyser’s case underscores the complexities involved in balancing public safety with rehabilitation efforts. While both she and Weier have been deemed to have committed a horrific act, the judicial proceedings will continue to navigate the considerations of safety for the victim and the potential for Geyser’s reintegration into society.
