A woman, who had been confined to a mental health institution for the past ten years after attempting to murder her friend in Wisconsin, in order to appease the fictional character “Slender Man,” has been denied her request for early release.
Judge Michael O. Bohren, after a two-day hearing, has concluded that despite the alleged improvements made by the 21-year-old at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, she still poses a significant risk to herself and others.
The court’s responsibility is to reduce the risk of dangerous conduct, even though it is uncertain if someone will repeat such behavior.
Geyser and her friend, Anissa Weier, were convinced that in order to safeguard themselves and their families from the imaginary character, they had to take the life of Ms. Leutner.
Weier regained her freedom on conditional release in 2021, and her GPS tracker was removed in September 2023.
In the last decade, doctors who have treated and worked with Geyser have shared their experiences and interactions with her.
According to Dr. Deborah Collins and Dr. Brooke Laudbohm, two witnesses, Geyser had claimed to have faked her psychotic symptoms in recent years. However, both doctors and others have refuted this claim, stating that it cannot be true.
Dr. Collins stated in court on Wednesday that it is highly unlikely for her to have successfully deceived a large number of mental health professionals considering the fact that she is under constant observation.
According to Dr. Laudbohm, there are numerous records documenting instances where Geyser spoke or laughed with herself. These occurrences are believed to be a result of the voices in her head, which she had been reporting for years.
They both maintained that Geyser still needed to work on her mental health and that the institution provided the most suitable environment for her.
Dr. Kenneth Robbins, who has been acquainted with Geyser for ten years, had a differing opinion. He firmly believed that it was the perfect moment for her to venture out into the community.
Dr. Robbins expressed concerns about the potential downsides of being at Winnebago, despite acknowledging the helpfulness and skill of their practitioners. According to him, the disadvantages currently outweigh the benefits.
During the trial, Dr. Kayla Pope, the director of the institution where Geyser is housed, was called as a surprise witness. She supported his viewpoint, further strengthening his argument.
The doctor emphasized the importance of her transitioning into the community to support her ongoing development.
According to Mr. Cotton, she is currently staying at the mental health hospital in Winnebago. She will remain there for as long as necessary, whether it’s 60, 90, 120 days, or any additional time required for the hospital to develop a release plan and present it to the court.
According to the attorney, Geyser would still have to undergo years of supervision upon reintegration into the community.
Despite the differing opinions, Judge Bohren ultimately rejected those perspectives.
During the closing arguments, State Attorney Ted Szczupakiewicz directly addressed Dr. Robbins, highlighting his statement in the report that classified this case as having multiple victims.
The defense attorney argued before the judge, emphasizing that there was only one victim in this case who had nearly lost their life back in 2014.
“Morgan is not someone who should be seen as a victim in this particular case.”
According to the attorney, Ms. Leutner is the victim who will carry the scars of the attack for the rest of her life.
The judge, who has been handling the case for almost a decade, seemed to share this sentiment. However, the judge also appeared uneasy about Geyser’s assertion that she had fabricated her symptoms.
According to the judge, Ms. Geyser is currently excelling in her program and showing positive progress. However, the judge also acknowledged that she requires more socialization and further work in that area.
He continued by pointing out that her credibility is at stake due to her changing position. The credibility of the reporter plays a crucial role in determining assessments made by mental health professionals and legal experts.
“When considering all of these factors, the main concern that arises is the issue of risk. Currently, it is evident that the credibility problem surrounding Ms. Geyser’s presence at the institution is a significant obstacle. Until this credibility issue is effectively addressed and resolved, the level of risk involved remains high.”
In six months, Geyser might have the opportunity to pursue another appeal for conditional release. Doctors Collins and Laudbohm expressed their belief that this timeframe would provide the inmate with sufficient opportunity to address the raised concerns.
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