A Wisconsin judge has stayed the conditional release of Morgan Geyser pending a hearing.
Court TV reported that the decision was made almost a month following Waukesha County Judge Michael Bohren’s approval of Geyser’s conditional release to a group home. Bohren mentioned that rehabilitation entails individuals engaging with the community.
As previously covered by CrimeOnline, following a jury’s verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity in 2014 for stabbing her friend, Geyser was sentenced to 40 years in a mental health facility. Both Geyser and Anissa Weier admitted to the assault on 12-year-old Payton Leutner.
Following a birthday sleepover for Geyser’s 12th birthday, she and Weier enticed Payton into the woods, where they stabbed her 19 times and left her to die. In a subsequent confession to law enforcement, they stated that the assault was carried out in an attempt to please Slender Man, a fictional horror figure.
Weier and Geyser claimed they believed their families would be harmed if they did not attack their classmate, the news outlet reported.
Payton survived the attack after she made her way to a nearby road and flagged down a cyclist.
The latest ruling follows concerns from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, where Geyser is currently held. The institution filed a petition with the court, raising issues about a book she had been reading and someone she was communicating with.
The petition, presented in court on Friday, alleged that the book—reportedly a Stephen King novel—contained themes of sexual sadism and graphic content.
In response, Geyser’s defense argued for her release, highlighting the institution’s controlled access, knowledge of visitors, and ability to monitor meetings.
“I think it’s unfair for somebody, who was already ordered to be released, now has their plan interrupted because she chose to disclose intreatment things that she is reading and talk honestly and openly about the questions that are asked of her,” Geyser’s defense attorney, Anthony Cotton said.
A motion hearing has been scheduled for March 6. Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo:FILE – In this Sept. 13, 2017 file photo, Anissa Weier, listens as former teachers testify during her trial in Waukesha County Court, in Waukesha, Wis. One of the two Wisconsin girls accused of stabbing a classmate, Payton Leuter, in 2014 to gain the favor of a horror character named Slender Man will soon learn how long she will spend in a mental health facility. A judge in Waukesha County Circuit Court on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, is expected to send 16-year-old Weier to a facility for at least three years after she was previously found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. (Rick Wood/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP, Pool, File)]
