Mental Health
What was the Slender Man stabbing case about?
The Slender Man stabbing case involved two 12-year-old girls, Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, who lured their friend Peyton Lightner into the woods and stabbed her 19 times in 2014. They committed this brutal attack to impress a fictional online character named Slenderman. The victim miraculously survived despite the severity of her injuries. Both attackers were confined to a mental health institute, with Anissa later granted supervised release after nearly four years. Morgan, now 22, recently appeared in court seeking release from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute where she has been held for about a decade.
Watch clip answer (01:46m)
ABC News
02:25 - 04:11
Is Morgan Geyser still a risk to society after her Slenderman-related crime?
The clip explores whether Morgan Geyser, who committed a crime as a 12-year-old influenced by mental illness and the fictional Slenderman character, is truly reformed or still poses a danger. The court is evaluating her potential release from a mental health institution where she was committed after being found not guilty by reason of mental defect. The focus isn't on whether Morgan will eventually be released, but rather on assessing if the now-adult Morgan behind expressions of remorse is genuinely rehabilitated. The case raises important questions about public safety concerns balanced against mental health considerations in the justice system.
Watch clip answer (00:18m)
ABC News
04:55 - 05:14
How did the survivor of the Slender Man stabbing respond to the traumatic experience?
The survivor of the Slender Man stabbing, who was stabbed 19 times at age 12 by her friends, chose to move forward without dwelling on resentment. When asked about her feelings toward her attackers, she expressed that while she initially thought about it, she ultimately decided that holding onto negative emotions would 'get me nowhere.' She adopted the philosophy that 'it's easier to live without regrets,' demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of this horrific crime. The attack was particularly disturbing as it was motivated by the perpetrators' desire to please a fictional online character known as Slender Man, highlighting the dangerous influence of internet mythology on impressionable young minds.
Watch clip answer (00:23m)
ABC News
00:15 - 00:38
Who is Slenderman and how did he influence Morgan Geyser in the Slender Man case?
Slenderman is described as a tall, faceless fictional character who preys on children. In the infamous Slender Man case, he exerted a powerful psychological influence over Morgan Geyser, one of the two 12-year-old girls involved in the stabbing incident. According to the defense evaluator in the case, Morgan wasn't deviously planning the attack but rather felt controlled by Slenderman. This suggests that her actions were driven by delusions rather than malicious intent, highlighting the complex mental health issues at play. This case demonstrates how fictional internet mythology can dangerously impact vulnerable young minds.
Watch clip answer (00:19m)
ABC News
04:04 - 04:24
What was the Slenderman stabbing case and what is happening with Morgan Geyser now?
The Slenderman case involved Morgan Geyser who, at age 12, along with friends, stabbed a classmate 19 times to impress a fictional online character called Slenderman. The victim barely survived this shocking attack perpetrated by her own friends. Now 22 years old, Morgan Geyser recently appeared in a Wisconsin courtroom where she was granted a chance for release from a mental health facility. After spending nearly a decade institutionalized, her case raises important questions about juvenile crime, mental health treatment, and rehabilitation.
Watch clip answer (00:26m)ABC News
02:25 - 02:51
What is Morgan Geyser seeking in court and why?
Morgan Geyser is seeking release from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute where she has been held for over a decade. Through her attorney, she is arguing that she no longer presents the same risk to society that she did as a 12-year-old when she participated in the brutal attack on her friend. The case gained national attention when Morgan and another 12-year-old girl lured their friend into the woods and stabbed her on behalf of a mythical figure named Slenderman. Now appearing in court as an adult, Morgan's defense maintains she has undergone significant rehabilitation and no longer poses a threat to public safety.
Watch clip answer (00:41m)ABC News
02:53 - 03:34