Teenagers to be tried as adults in ‘Slender Man’ case to provide longer mental health treatment
'This was an effort to kill someone. This was premeditated murder'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two Wisconsin teenage girls will be tried as adults for allegedly attacking their classmate with a knife to please an online character named the “Slender Man.”
Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren said on Monday that placing the girls in the adult system would longer provide them with mental health treatment, the Associated Press reported.
"The real issue is what happens in a few years. They’ve committed an offense that was frankly vicious,” he said. Judge Bohren maintained that he was protecting the community, saying the crime was no accident.
"This was an effort to kill someone. This was premeditated murder."
Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, both aged 13, are accused of stabbing their friend Payton Leutner, 13. All three girls were 12-years-old during the incident from May 2014.
Payton survived 19 stab wounds after being left in the Waukesha, Wisconsin woods during a sleepover with the girls.
The pair could face up to 45 years in prison if convicted as adults, while the girls could be held as juveniles for only five years.
"The system is broken," Morgan's father said as he stormed out of the courtroom as the judge made his ruling, TMJ4 reported.
Morgan told investigators that the “Slender Man” is a “tall, faceless man who preys on children,” NBC News reported.
"He watches you — I’ve never seen him. He's everywhere.”
The girls will face arraignment on 21 August.
12-year-old girls accused of stabbing friend to please Slender Man, a fictional Internet character
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments