In a recent court case in Wisconsin, Morgan Geyser, now 21 years old, requested to be released from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute. Geyser was sentenced to 40 years in a mental hospital in 2018 after pleading guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide for brutally stabbing her sixth-grade classmate Payton Leutner. Along with her peer Anissa Weier, Geyser lured Leutner to a park in Waukesha in 2014 when they were all 12 years old, and Geyser repeatedly stabbed Leutner while Weier encouraged her. The girls claimed they did it to earn the favor of the fictional character Slender Man and to protect their families from him. Leutner was stabbed 19 times and barely survived.
During the recent court proceedings, two psychologists testified. One psychologist suggested that Geyser had been faking psychotic symptoms, although this did not align with years of observation and treatment. Another doctor who prepared a conditional release report for Geyser argued that it was an appropriate time for her to be conditionally released to a group home. He stated that Geyser had shown significant improvement, no longer posed a danger, and required assistance with socialization, education, and becoming independent, all of which could not be effectively provided by the Winnebago Mental Health Institute.
Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren ultimately determined that Geyser still posed a risk of harming herself, others, or property, and denied her release from the mental institute. This decision comes after Geyser had previously attempted to be released in 2022 and withdrawn the petition two months after filing it. The judge’s ruling indicated that despite some progress and improvements in Geyser’s mental state, there were still concerns about the potential risks she could pose if released prematurely. The judge’s decision was based on the evidence presented during the court proceedings.
The case involving Morgan Geyser’s brutal stabbing of her classmate to earn the favor of Slender Man shocked the nation a decade ago and continues to raise questions about mental health, justice, and the treatment of individuals with severe mental illness. The incident highlighted the influence of internet culture and fictional characters on vulnerable individuals, and the limits of the mental health system in providing effective care. The ongoing legal battles and proceedings demonstrate the complexities of balancing rehabilitation, public safety, and justice in cases involving individuals with severe mental illness who have committed violent acts.
Despite the ongoing court battles and requests for release, Morgan Geyser remains in the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, where she continues to receive treatment and care for her mental health condition. The denial of her release by the judge indicates that there are still concerns about her potential to harm herself or others if released into the community. The case of Morgan Geyser raises important questions about the long-term care and treatment of individuals with severe mental illness, and the challenges in balancing rehabilitation, public safety, and justice in cases involving violent crimes committed by individuals with mental health issues. The decision not to release Geyser reflects the complexities and difficult decisions faced by the legal system when dealing with such cases.
