In Wisconsin, Morgan Geyser, who attempted to kill her 12-year-old classmate to please the fictional character “Slender Man,” has been granted conditional release from a mental health institute, despite concerns raised by the State Department of Health Services about her behavior. Geyser, now 22, had pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide in the stabbing of Payton Leutner and was found not guilty by reason of mental defect. She has been in custody at Winnebago Mental Health Institute for the past seven years and was initially sentenced to 40 years in the psychiatric hospital. Geyser’s defense attorney refuted claims made by health officials that she was still a danger to the community, stating that she is not more dangerous now.
During a hearing in January, three psychologists recommended Geyser’s release, but prosecutors raised concerns about her relationship with a man who collects murder memorabilia and her interest in violent books. While this raised red flags for officials, experts noted that some individuals may have a morbid curiosity towards violent materials but may not necessarily act on it. Geyser’s defense team argued that her therapists were aware of her interactions with the collector and that she only read books permitted by her care team. Despite concerns raised by the state, the judge determined that Geyser was no longer a danger to society and granted her conditional release, with her next court appearance scheduled for April 28.
Geyser and her friend Anissa Weier were just 12 years old when they lured Leutner into a wooded park during a sleepover in 2014, and Geyser, at the encouragement of Weier, stabbed Leutner 19 times. While Leutner miraculously survived the attack, the incident was traumatic for her. Weier pleaded guilty to being a part of the attempted second-degree intentional homicide and was sentenced to 25 years in a mental hospital, with conditions for her release. Both Geyser and Weier have spent years in custody and have been undergoing therapy during that time. Experts caution that while morbid curiosity may be common, those with violent pasts may be influenced by materials relating to their crimes.
The decision to release Geyser has drawn criticism from the state, as they argue that her interest in violent topics and failure to disclose information about her reading materials raise concerns about her potential danger to the community. However, the judge’s decision was based on the evaluation that Geyser acknowledged her crime, showed signs of rehabilitation, and was no longer a danger to society. Despite concerns about the impact of violent materials on individuals who have committed violent acts, the judge deemed that Geyser met the criteria for conditional release. It is important to consider the impact on the victim of the crime, Leutner, who experienced a traumatic attack at a young age.
Geyser’s case highlights the complexity of dealing with individuals who commit violent crimes at a young age and raises questions about the appropriate approach to their rehabilitation and potential release into society. While Geyser has been granted conditional release, the State Department of Health Services continues to advocate for her institutionalization, citing concerns about her behavior and interests. Ultimately, the decision on Geyser’s future will depend on ongoing evaluations and assessments of her mental health and risk to society. Despite the unique circumstances of this case, experts emphasize the importance of considering rehabilitation and acknowledging the role of mental illness in criminal acts committed by individuals like Geyser.
