A judge ruled Monday that confessions made to police will be admissible against one of the two girls charged with trying to kill their sixth-grade classmate to please the fictional character Slender Man in 2014. Circuit Judge Michael Bohren also said that jurors from Waukesha County will hear the case when it finally goes to trial, now set for October — 3 1/2 years after the crime.
Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier were 12 when they were charged as adults with the attempted first-degree intentional homicide of Payton Leutner, who was stabbed 19 times and left to die near a Waukesha park before she was found by a passing bicyclist. After several surgeries, Leutner recovered and was able to start seventh grade on time that fall.
Arrested later the same day, the girls told detectives how they had plotted the attack because they believed Slender Man, an internet boogeyman, would harm them or their families if they did kill their friend.
Each has now argued that they were too young to fully understand and give up their rights to remain silent or consult an attorney and that the statements should not be allowed as evidence against them at trial. Geyser's attorney argued that in addition to her young age Geyser was suffering from untreated early onset schizophrenia, a condition discovered months later while doctors evaluated her competency to understand the charges against her and assist in her own defense.
Announcing his decision from the bench, Bohren said the totality of the circumstances suggested that in each of three incidents, Geyser understood and knowingly made incriminating statements. Regarding one instance where Geyser's attorney had questioned the way a sheriff's lieutenant read Geyser her rights, Bohren said the state has long said "substance controls over form" in determining the properness of the so-called Miranda warning.
Yup those 2 girls need to pay their bill for damages incurred to their "best friend"
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of morons are these girls to believe in an internet fictional character? Did drugs play a part?
ReplyDeleteIn the original news coverings, they weren't afraid of Slenderman, they were going to sacrifice their friend, so that he could adopt them and take them away with him.
ReplyDeleteNow they are trying to twist it around in favor of these young nuts. These girls are psycho and I wouldn't mind if they get the death penalty. They knew damn well what they were doing.
There's an hbo documentary called beware the slenderman . It is absolutely riveting. Recommend watching it before making up your mind about this case.
ReplyDeleteHope these two girls die in prison ❤
ReplyDeleteBoth of them are freaky scary looking in the face and eyes.
ReplyDelete40 years in prison for both should take of it.
Maybe they're on psychotropic drugs to shore up their insanity defense
ReplyDeleteOne of them is severely mentally ill. She has schizophrenia. She is presently being held in mental hospital. The other girl is a very pathetic, immature follower. Trying either of them as adults is absurd.
ReplyDeleteThat left me wanting more. I just felt it was mostly about the girl with schizophrenia. Who was clearly the leader. I wanted to know more about the mental state of the other girl. More of her background.
ReplyDeleteOne of them has schizophrenia. Her father had it as well.
ReplyDeleteShe is in a mental hospital.
Obvious question is whether there was parental drug use and should child services have been involved. Bit late now though.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with Sean that there are reasons why 12 year olds aren't tried as adults and that no matter how heinous the crime, a 12 year old is still a 12 year old.