Slender Man Stabbing Jury Determines Wisconsin Girl Mentally Ill

Anissa Weier, one of two Wisconsin girls who admitted to participating in the stabbing of their classmate in order to impress the creepy fictional character Slender Man, was found mentally ill at the time of the attack and will avoid jail time.

The world took notice of Slender Man in 2014, when two pre-teen girls — Weier and Morgan Geyser — lured their classmate Payton Leutner into the woods in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times while Weier encouraged her, prosecutors said. The victim barely survived and managed to crawl onto a bike path, where she was discovered by a passing cyclist.

The jury verdict came Friday after a week of testimony and 11 hours of deliberation.

Also Read: 'Beware the Slenderman': 5 Things to Know About Internet's Creepiest Creation (Video)

“I’m very thankful to the jurors for taking the time to look at what was really going on with her,” Weier’s attorney, Maura McMahon, told reporters.

Weier and Morgan, both just 12 at the time, told detectives they were compelled to kill Leutner to become Slender Man’s servants and to protect their families from him. The mysterious fictitious creature, who began circulating online years ago, is a tall, thin apparition with ghost-white skin and no face who is said to abduct and kill children.

Weier pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree intentional homicide in August, but claimed she was mentally ill during the attack and not responsible for her actions. The plea deal with the prosecutors called for her to be sent to a mental facility for at least three years if judged mentally ill by the court. If she had not been judged mentally ill at the time of the stabbing, she would have served 10 years in prison.

Geyser pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Her trial is set for Oct. 9.

From Slenderman to Jeffrey Dahmer: 9 Notorious Wisconsin Violent Crimes (Photos)

Slenderman Stabbing

In May 2014, two 12-year-old Waukesha girls lured a classmate into the woods near their homes and stabbed her 19 times. The victim survived and was found by a passing cyclist. The perpetrators claimed they tried to kill the girl to impress Slenderman.
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Walter E. Ellis Murders

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Terry Ratzmann Shooting

In March 2005, Terry Ratzmann entered his church, the Living Church of God, with a handgun. He fired 22 rounds in total, killing seven people. Ratzmann was later found dead in a hotel room from a self-inflicted gunshot.
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Tyler Peterson Shooting

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Before you watch “Beware the Slenderman” on HBO, check out these other blood-chilling crimes from the Badger State

Slenderman Stabbing

In May 2014, two 12-year-old Waukesha girls lured a classmate into the woods near their homes and stabbed her 19 times. The victim survived and was found by a passing cyclist. The perpetrators claimed they tried to kill the girl to impress Slenderman.

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From Slenderman to Jeffrey Dahmer: 9 Notorious Wisconsin Violent Crimes (Photos)

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