Introduction: A Case of Tragedy and Redemption
In a deeply unsettling case that has gripped the nation for years, Morgan Geyser, a young woman from Wisconsin, has been at the center of a legal and psychological drama that began with a horrific act of violence and has now reached a pivotal moment. Geyser, who was involved in the infamous 2014 stabbing of her classmate Payton Leutner, has spent the past seven years at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute after being diagnosed with severe mental health issues. However, a recent court ruling has brought hope for her release, despite last-minute objections from state health officials. This case continues to raise questions about mental illness, criminal responsibility, and the possibility of redemption.
The Crime and Its Aftermath: A Tragic Obsession
In 2014, Morgan Geyser and her friend Anissa Weier, both 12 years old at the time, committed a shocking crime that shocked the nation. The two girls lured their classmate, Payton Leutner, to a park after a sleepover and stabbed her 19 times in an attempt to appease the fictional character Slender Man, a figure they believed was real and who they thought would harm them and their families if they did not comply. Miraculously, Leutner survived the attack, but the psychological and physical scars of that day remain.
The motivations behind the attack were rooted in the girls’ shared delusional beliefs about Slender Man, a character from internet horror stories. Both Geyser and Weier were diagnosed with severe mental illnesses—Geyser with schizophrenia and Weier with a psychotic disorder—and their cases were handled through the mental health system rather than the traditional criminal justice system. While Weier was granted early release from her mental health commitment in 2021 under strict supervision, Geyser’s path to freedom has been more complicated.
The Road to Release: A Dispute Over Risk
In January, Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren ruled that Geyser could be released from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, citing progress in her treatment and a detailed plan for her community supervision and housing. However, state health officials raised last-minute objections, arguing that Geyser’s behavior during her time in the hospital raised concerns about her readiness for release. They pointed to two specific incidents: Geyser’s reading of a novel called “Rent Boy,” which involves themes of murder and the black market, and her communication with a man who collects murder memorabilia, to whom she had sent a sketch of a decapitated body and a postcard expressing a desire for intimacy.
Prosecutors argued that these actions were “red flags” indicating that Geyser might still pose a risk to society. However, Geyser’s attorney, Tony Cotton, dismissed these concerns as unfounded, arguing that Geyser had done nothing wrong and that the state’s objections amounted to a “hit job.” He emphasized that Geyser’s reading material was approved by hospital staff and that her communication with the memorabilia collector had been voluntarily ended when she realized he was selling her artwork.
The Judge’s Decision: A Shift in Perspective
Judge Bohren ultimately sided with Geyser’s team, ruling that the state’s concerns lacked substance. He noted that Geyser had not attempted to hide her actions from her treatment team and that her responses to questions about her reading material and communications were open and transparent. Bohren also heard testimony from three psychologists who had previously recommended her release, all of whom stated that they saw no evidence of increased risk in Geyser’s behavior.
The judge made it clear that he did not believe Geyser posed a current danger to the public, a conclusion supported by the mental health professionals involved in her case. While the state’s concerns were understandable, Bohren emphasized the importance of balancing public safety with the rights and needs of individuals with mental illnesses. He ultimately scheduled a new hearing for March 21 to finalize the details of her release plan, marking a significant step forward in Geyser’s long and tumultuous journey toward recovery and reintegration into society.
The Bigger Picture: Mental Health and Justice
This case raises profound questions about the intersection of mental health, criminal justice, and societal stigma. Geyser’s story is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of untreated mental illness, as well as the challenges of determining when an individual is truly ready to re-enter society. While some may question whether Geyser’s early release is appropriate, given the severity of her past actions, her case also highlights the complexities of holding individuals accountable for crimes committed while in the throes of psychosis.
The fact that both Geyser and Weier were diagnosed with severe mental health conditions at the time of the crime underscores the need for a compassionate and nuanced approach to justice. Both girls were victims of their own delusions, and their actions were the result of a shared belief in a fictional character that they sincerely feared. While their crime was undeniably horrific, it was also a symptom of their illness, not a premeditated act of malice.
As Geyser prepares for her release, the focus will now shift to ensuring that she receives the ongoing support and treatment she needs to maintain her mental health and live a stable, law-abiding life. Her case serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health resources, the need for empathy in the justice system, and the possibility of redemption even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
Conclusion: A New Chapter and Lingering Questions
While Judge Bohren’s decision to grant Geyser’s release has brought her closer to a new chapter of her life, it also leaves many questions unanswered. How will she reintegrate into society after years of institutionalization? Will she be able to find the support and understanding she needs to rebuild her life? And how will the public respond to her release, given the notoriety of the case?
For Payton Leutner, the survivor of the attack, Geyser’s release may bring up complex emotions, as it does for the wider community. While justice was served through the mental health system, the scars of that day will never fully heal. For Geyser, the road ahead represents both hope and challenge—a chance to prove that she has grown, changed, and is capable of living a life free from the grip of her past delusions.
In the end, Geyser’s story is one of loss, regret, and the enduring question of whether people can change. As she prepares to leave the hospital behind, the world watches, hoping for a resolution that balances accountability with compassion, and acknowledges the fragility and complexity of the human mind.
