Introduction to the Case
Wisconsin authorities have asked a state court to revoke the conditional release of Morgan Geyser, the woman who in 2014 almost killed her sixth-grade classmate in the name of horror villain Slender Man and escaped from a group home earlier this week.
Background of the Incident
A Waukesha County Circuit Court judge agreed on Wednesday to seal the petition filed by the Department of Corrections late Tuesday seeking to revoke Geyser’s conditional release. A Waukesha County judge earlier this year approved releasing Geyser from a state mental institution to live in a group home. Geyser cut off her GPS monitoring bracelet on Saturday night and fled the group home in Madison, Wisconsin, with a 43-year-old companion, authorities said. Geyser was found by police in suburban Posen.
Legal Proceedings
Geyser did not fight her extradition to Wisconsin in a Chicago court appearance Tuesday. Online records show she had been brought back to Wisconsin and was being held in the Waukesha County jail late Wednesday. Geyser’s attorney, Tony Cotton, did not respond to an email Wednesday seeking comment on the state’s request to revoke her release. The judge set a motion hearing for Dec. 22.
Potential Consequences
If Geyser’s conditional release is revoked, she could be sent back to the mental institution where she spent most of the last eight years. She also could face new charges in connection with her escape. Geyser’s companion has been charged with trespassing and obstruction, but the person hasn’t been charged with aiding Geyser’s escape.
The Slender Man Case
Geyser and her friend, Anissa Weier, lured one of their classmates, Payton Leutner, to a Waukesha park in 2014. Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times, narrowly missing her heart, while Weier cheered her on. All three girls were 12 years old at the time. Leutner barely survived. Geyser and Weier later told investigators they attacked Leutner in hopes of impressing Slender Man and becoming his servants.
History of Slender Man
Slender Man was created online by Eric Knudsen in 2009 as a mysterious figure photo-edited into everyday images of children at play. He grew into a popular boogeyman, appearing in video games, online stories, and a 2018 movie. Both Geyser and Weier were ultimately committed to a state mental institution — Geyser for 40 years and Weier for 25.
Previous Attempts at Release
Wisconsin law allows people committed to state institutions to petition for release. Weier earned conditional release in 2021. Geyser, now 23, won conditional release in September after four requests and was placed in the group home. State health officials tried to block her release in March, telling the judge that Geyser didn’t volunteer to her therapy team that she had read “Rent Boy,” a novel about murder and selling organs on the black market.
Conclusion
The case of Morgan Geyser and the Slender Man attack has raised concerns about the release of individuals who have committed violent crimes, especially when those crimes are motivated by fictional characters or ideologies. As the court considers revoking Geyser’s conditional release, it must weigh the risks and benefits of her freedom against the need to protect society from potential harm.
FAQs
- Q: What is the Slender Man?
A: Slender Man is a fictional character created online in 2009 as a mysterious figure often associated with horror stories and legends. - Q: What was Morgan Geyser’s role in the Slender Man attack?
A: Morgan Geyser, along with her friend Anissa Weier, attacked their classmate Payton Leutner in an attempt to impress Slender Man. - Q: Why is Morgan Geyser’s conditional release being revoked?
A: Geyser’s conditional release is being revoked because she escaped from her group home and cut off her GPS monitoring bracelet, prompting concerns about her compliance with release conditions and potential risk to public safety. - Q: What are the potential consequences if Geyser’s conditional release is revoked?
A: If Geyser’s conditional release is revoked, she could be sent back to a mental institution and potentially face new charges related to her escape.
