A Wisconsin judge granted an early conditional release to Morgan Geyser, who, along with Anissa Weier, stabbed their childhood friend Payton Leutner in 2014 to appease the fictional character Slender Man. Geyser, now 22, was committed to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute after being found not guilty by reason of mental disease in 2018. Seeking release from the psychiatric hospital, Geyser's latest petition was approved by Judge Michael Bohren, who ordered a plan for her supervision and housing in a group home.
Several doctors assessed Geyser's progress, with Dr. Brooke Lundbohm testifying in support of her release. Lundbohm noted Geyser's improvement in emotional regulation and absence of previous symptoms. Geyser's understanding of her crime was attributed to a blurred line between fantasy and reality due to mental illness.
Prosecutors revealed that Geyser and Weier lured Leutner to a wooded area, where Geyser stabbed her while Weier encouraged the act. Despite being left for dead, Leutner survived and was rescued. Geyser's recent outings to places like Starbucks and museums were deemed non-threatening by Lundbohm.
Lundbohm credited Geyser's progress to factors like maturity, a suicide attempt, and medication. Geyser, who pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide, has shown improved engagement in treatment. Weier, who pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree intentional homicide, was conditionally released in 2021.
