Judge Orders Release of Woman Who Stabbed Classmate to Please Slender Man

Morgan Geyser, who gained notoriety at the age of 12 for stabbing her classmate nearly fatally to impress an online horror character known as Slender Man, has received a ruling for her release from a psychiatric facility. Having spent approximately seven years at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, Geyser's most recent petition for release was granted by Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren after a lengthy hearing.

Although the judge previously denied her requests due to concerns about public safety, he acknowledged her advancements in treatment and deemed that she is no longer a threat. Geyser's crime was described as a "brutal, terrible offense," yet Judge Bohren emphasized the importance of her reintegration into society as part of her rehabilitation process. He committed to having a plan formulated by the Department of Health Services for her future housing in a group home.

In 2014, Geyser and her accomplice Anissa Weier, both 12 at the time, lured their fellow classmate Payton Leutner to a park where Geyser attacked her, resulting in 19 stab wounds. The motive stemmed from the girls' belief that by committing this act, they would earn the favor of Slender Man, whom they feared would harm their families if they didn't comply. Following the attack, Geyser pled guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide and was placed in the psychiatric institute due to mental health issues.

At the hearing, three psychologists testified to Geyser's considerable progress over the last six months, citing her stability after being taken off anti-psychotic medication. They reported that she has developed better coping mechanisms and lessened her tendency toward escapist fantasies. Despite this progress, concerns linger regarding her potential for reoffending, yet it was suggested that prolonged confinement might hinder her reintegration efforts.

Opposition from the Waukesha County government was evident, with arguments made questioning Geyser's trustworthiness and citing her past claims about the attack being a result of family abuse. However, the judge dismissed these concerns, underscoring the evolving nature of mental illness diagnoses.