Anissa Weir, one of the two 12-year old girls who were involved in the Wisconsin Slender Man case has been ordered by the court to undergo a mental competency evaluation.
Maura McMahon, the accused's attorney, told the judge at a hearing that the defendant's mental competency has been questioned by a psychologist. This raises apprehensions as to whether Weir would be able to assist in her defense.
On Monday, Sept. 15, a Waukesha County Circuit Court judge ordered that the pre-teen (who is accused of stabbing a friend to please fictional Internet character Slender Man) undergo a psychological evaluation. Judge Michael Bohren has given a 30-day deadline for Weir's evaluation.
Previously, in August, Bohren had ruled that co-defendant Morgan Geyser, also a minor, was mentally incompetent and not fit to stand trial. Geyser is currently undergoing treatment and will be evaluated to ascertain her competency. If deemed competent, then the court may schedule a hearing for the co-defendant.
The two girls have been charged for first-degree attempted homicide as adults. They have also been indicted of luring their 12-year old classmate to a wooded place in Waukesha. The two accused allegedly stabbed the victim 19 times in May and left her to die. The victim, however, managed to escape with injuries and was rescued by a passing bicyclist. Since the incident, the victim has returned to school.
When questioned by investigators, the suspects revealed that they attacked the victim to please "Slenderman" - who they believe is real.
Under Wisconsin law, the accused need to be aged a minimum of 10 years to be produced in adult court before the defendant's lawyers can ask the judge to shift the case to a juvenile court.
If found guilty and convicted as adults, the girls stand to face up to 60 years in jail. In the event the lawyers of the accused move court and they are sentenced as juveniles, they will be held till they are 25 years old.
The hearing is scheduled for Oct. 22.
