Wisconsin Judge decides that girls involved in the Slender Man stabbing case were competent to stand trial.
In late May this year, 12-year-old Anissa Weier and 13-year-old Morgan Geyser stabbed Payton Leutner, their 12-year-old classmate, 19 times and left her to die. All the girls were 12-years-old when the stabbing happened. Fortunately, Payton managed to crawl out and draw attention of a passing cyclist, who called 911. Geyser and Weier admitted to the crime and revealed that they stabbed Payton to please Slender Man, a fictional Internet character.
Despite being minors, both the accused have been charged for attempted homicide as adults. Per Wisconsin law, an accused should be at least 10 years old to stand in an adult court. If found guilty as adults, both the girls can face 60 years in prison. The lawyers of the girls argued that they should stand trial as juveniles. If the case is moved to the juvenile court and if they are found guilty, then the girls will be put in a secure facility for 25 years.
The lawyers for both the accused suggested that the girls were not mentally capable of defending themselves for adult charges. Lawyers for both the girls wanted to move to the juvenile court but Judge Michael Bohren rejected their plea.
Judge Bohren recently ruled that Weier was competent to stand trial after getting reports from three doctors who interviewed the accused. One of the doctors was from the prosecution's side who confirmed that Weier was competent. However, two other doctors from the defense side claim that Weier was incompetent.
Psychologists Michael Caldwell and Anthony Jurek from the defense confirmed that they interviewed Weier several times and found her intelligent. However, both the psychologists indicated that the accused has decision making problems when she comes across many questions.
On the other hand, psychiatrist Robert Rawski from the prosecution testified that the accused is very capable. Ted Szczupakiewicz, an assistant district attorney, revealed that judging by the two defense psychologists' reports the Weier replied to their questions regarding legal process correctly.
"I'm satisfied that the issues of age and maturity do not override her competency," says Judge Bohren. "She's competent to make the decisions that have to be made."
Judge Bohren is yet to give a final ruling for Geyser's competency.
The victim has started going to school again and is slowly getting back to her normal self.
