One of the two teenagers convicted in the "Slim Man" stabbing case was delayed again after the judge discovered a problem adjacent to the victim's residential area.
More than a decade has passed since Morgan Geyser, 22, joined Anissa Waeier, nearly stabbed their sixth-grade friend Payton Leutner, because he told police that a fictional character known as the "slim man" instructed them to kill Leutner.
Geyser appeared in court on Monday and finally determined her conditional release, but the plan came after prosecutors pointed out that her planned collective residence was just eight miles from Leutner’s current residence.
"We have a big problem," said Ted Saskupkivich, assistant district attorney for Walksha County, according to testimony displayed on court television. "The whole state of Wisconsin, judge, we have a plan that she has her 8 miles away!"
"Slim Man" who follows state warning "red flags"
Morgan Geyser was taken out of Waukesha County Circuit Court after rejecting a petition for conditional release on April 11, 2024. (Scott Ash/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
"The authors of the program have never consulted with the victims," Szczupakiewicz continued.
Leutner's mother Stacie said her family was "very worried" that the geyser was at such a close distance to address the court via Zoom.
"What considerations are made about Payton's rights and its need for security?" Stacie Leutner asked the court. “They did not work to identify the details of Payton’s daily life related to this program.”
Register to get True Crime Newsletter
"Payton worked hard and couldn't heal from the deep trauma she suffered," Stacie Leutner continued. "She should have the right to engage in daily activities such as grocery shopping or visiting a library without having to be afraid to meet that person, who had met 19 times when she was 12 years old."
Walkersha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren shared his frustration, which he did not discuss before the hearing and ordered officials to find a new group residence for the geyser, giving them a 30-day deadline.
Wisconsin woman accused of "slim man" stabbing and dripping requests early release from mental health agencies
Morgan Geyser was taken to the Walkersha County Circuit Court for a motion hearing on April 10, 2024. (Scott Ash/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
"This is a high-profile case that some people might call it a crossing T, and I'm dotted to ensure all rights are protected," Bohren said.
Geyser was scheduled to return to court in early June for another release hearing, the third time her release has been postponed.
The Geyser’s defense team and the state’s prosecutors did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Follow the Fox True Crime Team on X
Prosecutors said Geyser and Weil attracted Leutner to a forested area in Waukesha after a night in May 2014. At that time, Geyser urged her to move on, repeatedly stabbing Leutner.
Both Weier and Geyser told authorities that they believed they had to kill Leutner as a "agent" or servant to the slim person and protect their family from him.
"Slim Man" Case: Wisconsin judge orders conditional release of woman involved in stabbing
Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren presided over a transparent motion hearing between Morgan on April 11, 2024. (Scott Ash/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Leutner was forgotten after being climbed out of the woods, but miraculously survived the attack and was discovered by a cyclist.
"Slender Man" started with an online post in 2009 and is a mysterious ghost whose image is edited as a "daily children" game scene. Usually, he is portrayed as Spider-Man in a black suit with a featureless white face. His devotees consider him a sinister force and an angel of revenge.
In 2017, Geyser pleaded guilty to attempting intentional homicide in Leutner's attack, but claimed she was not responsible for any reason due to mental illness. She was sentenced to up to 40 years of state mental health supervision in 2018.
Get real-time updates directly The real crime center
Geyser has been at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute for nearly a decade but was allowed to consider her conditional release every six months.
Despite the state's request to institutionalize the geyser, Bren is sure she no longer poses a danger to society.
Click here to get the Fox News app
Weir also pleaded guilty, a party that attempted to commit second-degree intentional homicide with dangerous weapons and was sentenced to 25 years in a mental hospital. In 2021, she was released to a situation where she had to live with her father and wear a GPS monitor.
Julia Bonavita of Fox News Digital and the Associated Press contributed to the report.
Stepheny Price is a writer at Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, state crime cases, illegal immigration and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com