Wisconsin girl, 12, stabbed 19 times by friends
- Thread starter spaminator
- Start date
Thats not exactly new. Teens have always been more prone to doing stupid and risky things. As for the shootings and such, that also is not new. If you look at the historical record there are many instances of that happening in every decade of the 20th century. A 24 hour news cycle, the internet and a much higher population just leads to us hearing about it more.
I just hope they get some time away in a facility ( since jail obviously isn't an option). There is definitely something wrong with them to do something so horrific at such a young age. It makes me wonder what they'll be like when they get older. If they get help will they get better or will they slowly get darker and darker as they get older regardless of any intervention?
I don't know, some things though I just don't know if you can come back from them.
Wisconsin girls in Slenderman case ruled competent to stand trial
Brendan O'Brien, REUTERS
First posted: Thursday, December 18, 2014 02:49 PM EST | Updated: Thursday, December 18, 2014 05:42 PM EST
WAUKESHA, WISC. - Two Wisconsin girls accused of luring a classmate into the woods and repeatedly stabbing her to please a fictional Internet character named Slenderman are competent to stand trial, a judge ruled on Thursday.
Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, both 12 at the time, were charged as adults with first-degree attempted homicide in the attack on their classmate the morning after a sleepover in May in Waukesha, a suburb west of Milwaukee.
The girls told investigators they attacked their classmate to impress Slenderman, a tall, online bogeyman that they insisted was real, according to a criminal complaint.
The victim was stabbed 19 times but survived. She returned to school in September, a family spokesman said.
Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren ruled Weier competent to stand trial after hearing testimony from a psychiatrist called by the state.
Psychiatrist Robert Rawski told the court that Weier is capable of understanding and rationally taking part in her defense.
"I find it hard to believe that a person with her intelligence and her cognitive capacities ... would be considered incompetent," Rawski said.
Two psychologists, who testified for the defense, said that Weier is incompetent because she would be unable to make decisions in a complex setting such as a criminal trial.
Weier, now 13, was found competent to stand trial under mental evaluations released publicly in court on Oct. 22. Weier's attorneys objected to the findings, leading to Thursday's competency hearing.
The judge later ruled Geyser competent after the defense waived its right to dispute a mental evaluation, made public in court on Nov. 18, that found Geyser competent to stand trial.
"I didn't see a particularly compelling reason to challenge the conclusions of this doctor," said Geyser's attorney Anthony Cotton after the court proceedings.
Bohren also granted a request by Cotton to keep his client at a mental health facility, where she has been receiving treatment for schizophrenia since an earlier mental evaluation found her incompetent.
Wisconsin law requires attempted homicide cases involving suspects at least 10 years old to begin in adult court before attorneys can ask a judge to move the case to juvenile court.
The girls could be sentenced to up to 60 years in prison if convicted of attempted homicide as adults. They could be held until age 25 if convicted as juveniles.
Wisconsin girls in Slenderman case ruled competent to stand trial | World | News
Brendan O'Brien, REUTERS
First posted: Thursday, December 18, 2014 02:49 PM EST | Updated: Thursday, December 18, 2014 05:42 PM EST
WAUKESHA, WISC. - Two Wisconsin girls accused of luring a classmate into the woods and repeatedly stabbing her to please a fictional Internet character named Slenderman are competent to stand trial, a judge ruled on Thursday.
Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, both 12 at the time, were charged as adults with first-degree attempted homicide in the attack on their classmate the morning after a sleepover in May in Waukesha, a suburb west of Milwaukee.
The girls told investigators they attacked their classmate to impress Slenderman, a tall, online bogeyman that they insisted was real, according to a criminal complaint.
The victim was stabbed 19 times but survived. She returned to school in September, a family spokesman said.
Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren ruled Weier competent to stand trial after hearing testimony from a psychiatrist called by the state.
Psychiatrist Robert Rawski told the court that Weier is capable of understanding and rationally taking part in her defense.
"I find it hard to believe that a person with her intelligence and her cognitive capacities ... would be considered incompetent," Rawski said.
Two psychologists, who testified for the defense, said that Weier is incompetent because she would be unable to make decisions in a complex setting such as a criminal trial.
Weier, now 13, was found competent to stand trial under mental evaluations released publicly in court on Oct. 22. Weier's attorneys objected to the findings, leading to Thursday's competency hearing.
The judge later ruled Geyser competent after the defense waived its right to dispute a mental evaluation, made public in court on Nov. 18, that found Geyser competent to stand trial.
"I didn't see a particularly compelling reason to challenge the conclusions of this doctor," said Geyser's attorney Anthony Cotton after the court proceedings.
Bohren also granted a request by Cotton to keep his client at a mental health facility, where she has been receiving treatment for schizophrenia since an earlier mental evaluation found her incompetent.
Wisconsin law requires attempted homicide cases involving suspects at least 10 years old to begin in adult court before attorneys can ask a judge to move the case to juvenile court.
The girls could be sentenced to up to 60 years in prison if convicted of attempted homicide as adults. They could be held until age 25 if convicted as juveniles.
Wisconsin girls in Slenderman case ruled competent to stand trial | World | News
Judge denies request to move girl to psychiatric facility in Slenderman case
Brendan O'Brien, Reuters
First posted: Friday, April 24, 2015 04:56 PM EDT | Updated: Friday, April 24, 2015 05:02 PM EDT
One of two Wisconsin girls accused of repeatedly stabbing their classmate to please a fictional Internet character known as Slenderman will remain in jail rather than be moved to a psychiatric treatment center, a judge ruled on Friday, court records showed.
Morgan Geyser, along with her friend, Anissa Weier, are charged as adults with attempted first-degree homicide in the May 2014 attack on a 12-year-old classmate in Waukesha, Wisconsin, a Milwaukee suburb.
Geyser's attorney, Anthony Cotton, requested that his client be moved from a juvenile jail to a psychiatric treatment center where she could be treated for schizophrenia. He also requested that her $500,000 bond be reduced to a signature bond, according to court records.
Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren denied the requests, saying the girl is a flight risk, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
The girls, who were 12 years old at the time, are accused of luring their victim into the woods and stabbing her 19 times to impress Slenderman, a tall fictional online bogeyman, according to authorities.
Wisconsin law requires cases to begin in adult court if they involve juvenile suspects at least 10 years old who are charged with first-degree attempted intentional homicide.
The girls could be sentenced to up to 60 years in prison if convicted as adults on the charges. Bohren could decide to move the case to juvenile court, where they could be imprisoned only to age 25 if convicted.
Judge denies request to move girl to psychiatric facility in Slenderman case | W
Brendan O'Brien, Reuters
First posted: Friday, April 24, 2015 04:56 PM EDT | Updated: Friday, April 24, 2015 05:02 PM EDT
One of two Wisconsin girls accused of repeatedly stabbing their classmate to please a fictional Internet character known as Slenderman will remain in jail rather than be moved to a psychiatric treatment center, a judge ruled on Friday, court records showed.
Morgan Geyser, along with her friend, Anissa Weier, are charged as adults with attempted first-degree homicide in the May 2014 attack on a 12-year-old classmate in Waukesha, Wisconsin, a Milwaukee suburb.
Geyser's attorney, Anthony Cotton, requested that his client be moved from a juvenile jail to a psychiatric treatment center where she could be treated for schizophrenia. He also requested that her $500,000 bond be reduced to a signature bond, according to court records.
Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren denied the requests, saying the girl is a flight risk, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
The girls, who were 12 years old at the time, are accused of luring their victim into the woods and stabbing her 19 times to impress Slenderman, a tall fictional online bogeyman, according to authorities.
Wisconsin law requires cases to begin in adult court if they involve juvenile suspects at least 10 years old who are charged with first-degree attempted intentional homicide.
The girls could be sentenced to up to 60 years in prison if convicted as adults on the charges. Bohren could decide to move the case to juvenile court, where they could be imprisoned only to age 25 if convicted.
Judge denies request to move girl to psychiatric facility in Slenderman case | W
"Weier and Geyser told investigators they stabbed the girl, also 12, to impress Slenderman, a tall, fictional bogeyman popular on the Internet that they insisted was real, according to a criminal complaint."
These kids have a, say, tenuous grasp on reality. Definitely in need of care. They won't get it in prison.
Life is such a fun house, ain't it.:roll:
Be nice to have a solution.
These kids have a, say, tenuous grasp on reality. Definitely in need of care. They won't get it in prison.
Life is such a fun house, ain't it.:roll:
Be nice to have a solution.
Wisconsin judge holds juvenile court hearing in Slenderman case
Brendan O'Brien, Reuters
First posted: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 04:04 PM EDT | Updated: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 04:30 PM EDT
WAUKESHA - A Wisconsin judge heard arguments on Tuesday about whether to try one of the girls accused of stabbing a classmate in order to please the fictional character Slenderman in juvenile court.
The two girls, Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, who were both 12 at the time, were charged as adults with attempted first-degree homicide in the May 2014 attack on a classmate in Waukesha, a suburb of Milwaukee.
Weier's attorneys asked Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren to move the case against her to juvenile court. A similar hearing is scheduled for Geyser in June.
Both face up to 60 years in prison if convicted as adults in the stabbing. They could be imprisoned up to age 25 if convicted as juveniles.
Prosecutors say the girls lured a 12-year-old classmate into the woods after a sleepover and stabbed her 19 times to impress the Internet character Slenderman. The victim survived the attack and returned to school last fall.
Wisconsin law requires cases to begin in adult court if they involve juvenile suspects at least 10 years old who are charged with first-degree attempted intentional homicide.
Weier's attorneys must prove to Bohren that she could not receive adequate treatment in the adult justice system, moving the case would not depreciate the crime's seriousness and a juvenile court trial would not lessen the deterrent for committing similar crimes.
Her attorneys called several jail staff members who told the judge she is a well-behaved teenager. Juvenile detention system officials described the comprehensive services children receive when they are detained.
Weier appeared to take notes on Tuesday morning as she sat between her attorneys.
"If all of our juveniles were like her, our job would be incredibly easy," said Nicole Sakac, a juvenile detention manager at the Washington County jail where Weier is being held.
Sakac said Weier grew upset and was placed on suicide watch after other girls held at the jail asked her about the case.
Wisconsin judge holds juvenile court hearing in Slenderman case | World | News |
Brendan O'Brien, Reuters
First posted: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 04:04 PM EDT | Updated: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 04:30 PM EDT
WAUKESHA - A Wisconsin judge heard arguments on Tuesday about whether to try one of the girls accused of stabbing a classmate in order to please the fictional character Slenderman in juvenile court.
The two girls, Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, who were both 12 at the time, were charged as adults with attempted first-degree homicide in the May 2014 attack on a classmate in Waukesha, a suburb of Milwaukee.
Weier's attorneys asked Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren to move the case against her to juvenile court. A similar hearing is scheduled for Geyser in June.
Both face up to 60 years in prison if convicted as adults in the stabbing. They could be imprisoned up to age 25 if convicted as juveniles.
Prosecutors say the girls lured a 12-year-old classmate into the woods after a sleepover and stabbed her 19 times to impress the Internet character Slenderman. The victim survived the attack and returned to school last fall.
Wisconsin law requires cases to begin in adult court if they involve juvenile suspects at least 10 years old who are charged with first-degree attempted intentional homicide.
Weier's attorneys must prove to Bohren that she could not receive adequate treatment in the adult justice system, moving the case would not depreciate the crime's seriousness and a juvenile court trial would not lessen the deterrent for committing similar crimes.
Her attorneys called several jail staff members who told the judge she is a well-behaved teenager. Juvenile detention system officials described the comprehensive services children receive when they are detained.
Weier appeared to take notes on Tuesday morning as she sat between her attorneys.
"If all of our juveniles were like her, our job would be incredibly easy," said Nicole Sakac, a juvenile detention manager at the Washington County jail where Weier is being held.
Sakac said Weier grew upset and was placed on suicide watch after other girls held at the jail asked her about the case.
Wisconsin judge holds juvenile court hearing in Slenderman case | World | News |
Two Wisconsin girls to be tried as adults in Slenderman stabbing case
Brendan O'Brien, Reuters
First posted: Monday, August 10, 2015 04:09 PM EDT | Updated: Monday, August 10, 2015 04:28 PM EDT
MILWAUKEE - A Wisconsin judge on Monday ordered two girls be tried as adults on charges they tried to kill their classmate by stabbing her 19 times to try to please the fictional character Slenderman.
The girls, Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, were charged with attempted first-degree homicide in the May 2014 attack in Waukesha, a suburb of Milwaukee. All three girls were 12 years old at the time.
According to online court records, Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren ruled that the case will remain in adult court where the girls could be sentenced to up to 60 years in prison if convicted in the stabbing.
Wisconsin law requires cases to begin in adult court if they involve juvenile suspects at least 10 years old who are charged with first-degree attempted intentional homicide.
Attorneys requested hearings in May and June for the judge to consider moving their case to juvenile court. During the hearing for Geyser, her attorney argued that his client would be better served in the juvenile system, where she could get treatment for her mental illness.
Prosecutors say the girls lured a classmate into the woods after a sleepover and stabbed her repeatedly to impress the Internet character Slenderman. She survived the attack and returned to school last fall.
Slenderman illustration. (Wikicommons)
Two Wisconsin girls to be tried as adults in Slenderman stabbing case | World |
Brendan O'Brien, Reuters
First posted: Monday, August 10, 2015 04:09 PM EDT | Updated: Monday, August 10, 2015 04:28 PM EDT
MILWAUKEE - A Wisconsin judge on Monday ordered two girls be tried as adults on charges they tried to kill their classmate by stabbing her 19 times to try to please the fictional character Slenderman.
The girls, Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, were charged with attempted first-degree homicide in the May 2014 attack in Waukesha, a suburb of Milwaukee. All three girls were 12 years old at the time.
According to online court records, Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren ruled that the case will remain in adult court where the girls could be sentenced to up to 60 years in prison if convicted in the stabbing.
Wisconsin law requires cases to begin in adult court if they involve juvenile suspects at least 10 years old who are charged with first-degree attempted intentional homicide.
Attorneys requested hearings in May and June for the judge to consider moving their case to juvenile court. During the hearing for Geyser, her attorney argued that his client would be better served in the juvenile system, where she could get treatment for her mental illness.
Prosecutors say the girls lured a classmate into the woods after a sleepover and stabbed her repeatedly to impress the Internet character Slenderman. She survived the attack and returned to school last fall.
Slenderman illustration. (Wikicommons)
Two Wisconsin girls to be tried as adults in Slenderman stabbing case | World |
Not guilty pleas entered on behalf of 13-year-old Wisconsin girls accused in Slender Man case
Greg Moore, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First posted: Friday, August 21, 2015 05:36 PM EDT | Updated: Friday, August 21, 2015 05:41 PM EDT
WAUKESHA, Wis. -- A pair of 13-year-old girls accused of trying to kill their friend as a sacrifice to a horror fiction character called Slender Man sat silently in court Friday, prompting the judge to issue a not guilty plea on their behalf.
Judge Michael Bohren also said the young teens will stand trial together starting Oct. 15.
Defence lawyers didn't object to the not guilty pleas, though they did protest the court's jurisdiction in the case. Attorneys for each girl said after the hearing that they believe the case should be tried in juvenile court.
"She was 12 years old when it happened," attorney Maura McMahon said.
Bohren decided recently that the case should remain in adult court, given the grim nature of the crime.
The girls each face a charge of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and could spend decades in prison if they're convicted in the 2014 attack.
Investigators say the suburban Milwaukee girls plotted for months to jump Payton Leutner after a sleepover. They intended to kill her, police say, to earn the favour of Slender Man, described in online fantasy stories as an unnaturally tall and thin creature who wears a dark suit and has no visible facial features.
Slender Man stories have proliferated in recent years, and the girls wanted to kill for him, in part, to prove his existence, police say.
The girls, age 12 at the time of the stabbing, believed they would have a home in Slender Man's mansion after killing Payton, police say. After stabbing the girl and leaving her for dead, the girls started walking to a forest 300 miles (480 kilometres) away, where they believed Slender Man lived, police say.
Payton was stabbed 19 times, and one wound narrowly missed a major artery near her heart. After the attack, she crawled to a road and was found lying by a passing bicyclist.
She survived her wounds -- a recovery her family has called "miraculous" -- and returned to school within months.
The Associated Press has not identified the girls because an appeals court could move their cases to juvenile court, where proceedings are closed to the public.
Tony Cotton, who has been the lead attorney for one of the girls, said ahead of the hearing that his client would enter pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.
Defence attorneys have argued that the case belongs in juvenile court, saying the adolescents suffer from mental illnesses and won't get appropriate treatment in the adult prison system.
But Bohren refused that request recently, saying the girls should be in adult court, despite their age. He said if they were found guilty in the juvenile system they would be released when they turned 18 with no further supervision or mental health treatment.
The girls face 65 years in prison if convicted as adults.
Not guilty pleas entered on behalf of 13-year-old Wisconsin girls accused in Sle
Greg Moore, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First posted: Friday, August 21, 2015 05:36 PM EDT | Updated: Friday, August 21, 2015 05:41 PM EDT
WAUKESHA, Wis. -- A pair of 13-year-old girls accused of trying to kill their friend as a sacrifice to a horror fiction character called Slender Man sat silently in court Friday, prompting the judge to issue a not guilty plea on their behalf.
Judge Michael Bohren also said the young teens will stand trial together starting Oct. 15.
Defence lawyers didn't object to the not guilty pleas, though they did protest the court's jurisdiction in the case. Attorneys for each girl said after the hearing that they believe the case should be tried in juvenile court.
"She was 12 years old when it happened," attorney Maura McMahon said.
Bohren decided recently that the case should remain in adult court, given the grim nature of the crime.
The girls each face a charge of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and could spend decades in prison if they're convicted in the 2014 attack.
Investigators say the suburban Milwaukee girls plotted for months to jump Payton Leutner after a sleepover. They intended to kill her, police say, to earn the favour of Slender Man, described in online fantasy stories as an unnaturally tall and thin creature who wears a dark suit and has no visible facial features.
Slender Man stories have proliferated in recent years, and the girls wanted to kill for him, in part, to prove his existence, police say.
The girls, age 12 at the time of the stabbing, believed they would have a home in Slender Man's mansion after killing Payton, police say. After stabbing the girl and leaving her for dead, the girls started walking to a forest 300 miles (480 kilometres) away, where they believed Slender Man lived, police say.
Payton was stabbed 19 times, and one wound narrowly missed a major artery near her heart. After the attack, she crawled to a road and was found lying by a passing bicyclist.
She survived her wounds -- a recovery her family has called "miraculous" -- and returned to school within months.
The Associated Press has not identified the girls because an appeals court could move their cases to juvenile court, where proceedings are closed to the public.
Tony Cotton, who has been the lead attorney for one of the girls, said ahead of the hearing that his client would enter pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.
Defence attorneys have argued that the case belongs in juvenile court, saying the adolescents suffer from mental illnesses and won't get appropriate treatment in the adult prison system.
But Bohren refused that request recently, saying the girls should be in adult court, despite their age. He said if they were found guilty in the juvenile system they would be released when they turned 18 with no further supervision or mental health treatment.
The girls face 65 years in prison if convicted as adults.
Not guilty pleas entered on behalf of 13-year-old Wisconsin girls accused in Sle
Wisconsin girls to be tried as adults in Slender Man attack
Scott Bauer, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First posted: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 02:18 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 04:53 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. -- A Wisconsin state appeals court ruled Wednesday that two girls accused of trying to kill their classmate in an attempt to please the fictional horror character Slender Man should be tried as adults.
Investigators say the girls, who were 12 at the time of the attack in 2014, plotted for months before luring their classmate into some woods after a birthday sleepover and repeatedly stabbing her. The victim, who was also 12, was found along a road, bleeding from 19 stab wounds that nearly killed her.
The girls have been charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide and if convicted could go to prison for up to 65 years. As juveniles, they could be incarcerated for up to three years then supervised until age 18.
Anyone 10 or older charged with first-degree attempted homicide is automatically considered an adult under Wisconsin law. But defence attorneys have argued that the case belongs in juvenile court, saying the adolescents suffer from mental illness and won't get the treatment they need in the adult prison system.
Experts testified that one of the girls has schizophrenia and an oppositional defiant disorder that requires long-term mental health treatment. The other girl has been diagnosed with a delusional disorder and a condition known as schizotypy, which a psychologist testified made her vulnerable to believing in Slender Man.
In a pair of rulings Wednesday, the 2nd District Appeals court affirmed a lower court's determination that it was reasonable to try both girls as adults. Citing the ruling last year, the appeals court said if the girls were found guilty in the juvenile system they would be released at age 18 with no supervision or mental health treatment.
It also noted that the evidence showed the crime was not accidental or impulsive, but planned out and violent. Given the serious nature of the offence, it would not be appropriate for the trial to take place in juvenile court, the appeals court ruled.
The girls could appeal the rulings to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Maura McMahon, the defence attorney for one of the girls, said she was "disappointed and sad" with the ruling and was reviewing it to decide whether to seek further appeal.
Kevin Osborne, the assistant Waukesha County District Attorney, said he was pleased with the decisions, but declined further comment because he has not yet read them.
A status conference in the case was set for Aug. 19.
The AP hasn't identified the defendants because their cases could still move to juvenile court, where proceedings are closed. They are both now 14 years old.
According to a criminal complaint, the girls plotted for months before they lured Payton Leutner into a park in Waukesha, about 20 miles west of Milwaukee, and attacked her with a knife.
Leutner suffered 19 stab wounds, including one that doctors say narrowly missed a major artery near her heart. After the attack in a wooded park, she crawled to a road and was found lying on a sidewalk by a passing bicyclist. Despite the attack, she staged what her family called a "miraculous" recovery and was back in school in September three months later.
The girls told investigators they hoped that killing her would please Slender Man, a demon-like character they had read about in online horror stories. The tales describe Slender Man as an unnaturally thin, faceless creature who preys on children.
Police captured the girls on the outskirts of the city that same day. They told investigators they planned to walk 300 miles to the Nicolet National Forest, where they hoped to live as Slender Man's servants in his mansion.
An HBO documentary on the case was released in March.
Wisconsin girls to be tried as adults in Slender Man attack | World | News | Tor
Scott Bauer, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First posted: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 02:18 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 04:53 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. -- A Wisconsin state appeals court ruled Wednesday that two girls accused of trying to kill their classmate in an attempt to please the fictional horror character Slender Man should be tried as adults.
Investigators say the girls, who were 12 at the time of the attack in 2014, plotted for months before luring their classmate into some woods after a birthday sleepover and repeatedly stabbing her. The victim, who was also 12, was found along a road, bleeding from 19 stab wounds that nearly killed her.
The girls have been charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide and if convicted could go to prison for up to 65 years. As juveniles, they could be incarcerated for up to three years then supervised until age 18.
Anyone 10 or older charged with first-degree attempted homicide is automatically considered an adult under Wisconsin law. But defence attorneys have argued that the case belongs in juvenile court, saying the adolescents suffer from mental illness and won't get the treatment they need in the adult prison system.
Experts testified that one of the girls has schizophrenia and an oppositional defiant disorder that requires long-term mental health treatment. The other girl has been diagnosed with a delusional disorder and a condition known as schizotypy, which a psychologist testified made her vulnerable to believing in Slender Man.
In a pair of rulings Wednesday, the 2nd District Appeals court affirmed a lower court's determination that it was reasonable to try both girls as adults. Citing the ruling last year, the appeals court said if the girls were found guilty in the juvenile system they would be released at age 18 with no supervision or mental health treatment.
It also noted that the evidence showed the crime was not accidental or impulsive, but planned out and violent. Given the serious nature of the offence, it would not be appropriate for the trial to take place in juvenile court, the appeals court ruled.
The girls could appeal the rulings to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Maura McMahon, the defence attorney for one of the girls, said she was "disappointed and sad" with the ruling and was reviewing it to decide whether to seek further appeal.
Kevin Osborne, the assistant Waukesha County District Attorney, said he was pleased with the decisions, but declined further comment because he has not yet read them.
A status conference in the case was set for Aug. 19.
The AP hasn't identified the defendants because their cases could still move to juvenile court, where proceedings are closed. They are both now 14 years old.
According to a criminal complaint, the girls plotted for months before they lured Payton Leutner into a park in Waukesha, about 20 miles west of Milwaukee, and attacked her with a knife.
Leutner suffered 19 stab wounds, including one that doctors say narrowly missed a major artery near her heart. After the attack in a wooded park, she crawled to a road and was found lying on a sidewalk by a passing bicyclist. Despite the attack, she staged what her family called a "miraculous" recovery and was back in school in September three months later.
The girls told investigators they hoped that killing her would please Slender Man, a demon-like character they had read about in online horror stories. The tales describe Slender Man as an unnaturally thin, faceless creature who preys on children.
Police captured the girls on the outskirts of the city that same day. They told investigators they planned to walk 300 miles to the Nicolet National Forest, where they hoped to live as Slender Man's servants in his mansion.
An HBO documentary on the case was released in March.
Wisconsin girls to be tried as adults in Slender Man attack | World | News | Tor
I can think of one......................."are the perps identifiable from 500 feet away"?
We have touch with reality, our natural instincts no longer can help guide us properly. It's a big $hit show
Second girl in Slender Man stabbing enters insanity plea
Todd Richmond, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First posted: Friday, September 09, 2016 01:56 PM EDT | Updated: Friday, September 09, 2016 08:32 PM EDT
WAUKESHA, Wis. — The second of two young Wisconsin girls accused of trying to kill a classmate to please horror character Slender Man entered a plea Friday of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to an attempted homicide charge.
Fourteen-year-old Anissa Weier entered the plea during a 15-minute hearing in Waukesha County Circuit Court. Judge Michael Bohren appointed two doctors to examine the girl, who sat silently during the proceedings. The judge ordered the doctors to turn in a report on her mental status by Oct. 6.
Weier and 14-year-old Morgan Geyser each face one count of first-degree attempted intentional homicide as adults for allegedly luring classmate Payton Leutner into a wooded area and repeatedly stabbing her in May 2014. All three girls were 12 years old at the time.
Anyone age 10 or older who faces that charge in Wisconsin is automatically considered an adult. If convicted, each girl would face up to 40 years in prison and 20 years on extended supervision. Geyser pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect last month.
Weier’s attorney, Maura McMahon, said after the hearing that she was no longer trying to get the case moved to juvenile court, a fight that had been ongoing since Weier and Geyser were taken into custody. Geyser’s attorney said last month he’d given up on moving her case after exhausting nearly all legal avenues.
The Associated Press initially chose not to name the girls in case they were tried in juvenile court, where proceedings are secret and penalties aren’t nearly as harsh. In juvenile court, the girls could have been incarcerated for three years and supervised until they turned 18, and their records would have been sealed.
Moving forward in adult court, the girls would be committed to a mental hospital indefinitely if defence attorneys and prosecutors agree they suffer from a mental disease, McMahon said. If a dispute arises over their mental states, a hearing would ensue and a jury would ultimately make the decision.
Prosecutors allege that the girls planned for months to kill Leutner, either to gain favour with Slender Man and earn positions as his servants or to avoid his wrath. The girls lured Leutner to a park in Waukesha, a town west of Milwaukee, following a sleepover. Investigators say the girls stabbed Leutner 19 times before fleeing, and Leutner crawled to a road where a bicyclist found her.
Weier and Geyser were captured on the outskirts of Waukesha. They said they were walking to a national forest in northern Wisconsin where they planned to join Slender Man at his mansion, investigators allege.
Both girls have asked Bohren for a jury from outside Waukesha County if the cases go to trial, citing heavy media coverage. They are due back in court Oct. 13 for a hearing on those requests.
Second girl in Slender Man stabbing enters insanity plea | World | News | Toront
Todd Richmond, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First posted: Friday, September 09, 2016 01:56 PM EDT | Updated: Friday, September 09, 2016 08:32 PM EDT
WAUKESHA, Wis. — The second of two young Wisconsin girls accused of trying to kill a classmate to please horror character Slender Man entered a plea Friday of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to an attempted homicide charge.
Fourteen-year-old Anissa Weier entered the plea during a 15-minute hearing in Waukesha County Circuit Court. Judge Michael Bohren appointed two doctors to examine the girl, who sat silently during the proceedings. The judge ordered the doctors to turn in a report on her mental status by Oct. 6.
Weier and 14-year-old Morgan Geyser each face one count of first-degree attempted intentional homicide as adults for allegedly luring classmate Payton Leutner into a wooded area and repeatedly stabbing her in May 2014. All three girls were 12 years old at the time.
Anyone age 10 or older who faces that charge in Wisconsin is automatically considered an adult. If convicted, each girl would face up to 40 years in prison and 20 years on extended supervision. Geyser pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect last month.
Weier’s attorney, Maura McMahon, said after the hearing that she was no longer trying to get the case moved to juvenile court, a fight that had been ongoing since Weier and Geyser were taken into custody. Geyser’s attorney said last month he’d given up on moving her case after exhausting nearly all legal avenues.
The Associated Press initially chose not to name the girls in case they were tried in juvenile court, where proceedings are secret and penalties aren’t nearly as harsh. In juvenile court, the girls could have been incarcerated for three years and supervised until they turned 18, and their records would have been sealed.
Moving forward in adult court, the girls would be committed to a mental hospital indefinitely if defence attorneys and prosecutors agree they suffer from a mental disease, McMahon said. If a dispute arises over their mental states, a hearing would ensue and a jury would ultimately make the decision.
Prosecutors allege that the girls planned for months to kill Leutner, either to gain favour with Slender Man and earn positions as his servants or to avoid his wrath. The girls lured Leutner to a park in Waukesha, a town west of Milwaukee, following a sleepover. Investigators say the girls stabbed Leutner 19 times before fleeing, and Leutner crawled to a road where a bicyclist found her.
Weier and Geyser were captured on the outskirts of Waukesha. They said they were walking to a national forest in northern Wisconsin where they planned to join Slender Man at his mansion, investigators allege.
Both girls have asked Bohren for a jury from outside Waukesha County if the cases go to trial, citing heavy media coverage. They are due back in court Oct. 13 for a hearing on those requests.
Second girl in Slender Man stabbing enters insanity plea | World | News | Toront