Judge Denies Bail Reduction on Girls Seized in 'Slenderman' Stabbing

The two girls charged in Slenderman stabbing awaiting on trial were denied of reducing their bail. A Wisconsin judge announced his decision not to reduce the girls' bail for trying to murder their friend by stabbing her repeatedly to please a fictional horror character called Slenderman.

Judge Michael Bohren denied the defense lawyer's request to reduce the bail set from $500,000 to $5,000. The families of the accused said they cannot afford to post the bond. The Wisconsin girls, Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser were in custody for two years now after they were convicted of first-degree homicide in May 2014, NY Post reports. Weier, Geyser and the victim were all 12 when the Slenderman stabbing took place.

"The $500,000 bail is certainly adequate and reasonable and appropriate based upon protection of the public, based on the risk of flight and ... based on the nature of the case," Bohren said at a hearing.

In 2014, the girls tried to entice their friend, Payton Leutner into the woods, and there, stabbed her to death.  According to CBS News, the girls believed that they would earn a home in Slederman's residence. The investigators added that the girls wanted to kill to prove that Slenderman is truly existing. Lawyers for the girls appealed that their bond would be reduced, release them and put them on electronic monitoring while the decision is still pending if the proceedings would be placed in adult court.

In August, Judge Bohren ordered the accused in the Slenderman stabbing to be tried in adult court. However, a request from the girls' attorneys to move it to the juvenile court has placed the hearing on hold. If the girls would be convicted as adults, they could be imprisoned for up to 65 years.  On the other hand, if they would be tried in the juvenile court, they could be sentenced up to the age of 25, Reuters has learned.

It was not the first time that the attorney for the girls, Maura McMahon, requested a bail reduction in behalf of  her clients. Defense Attorney Anthony Cotton initially filed an appeal to reduce the bond, but it was earlier denied. The defense lawyers argued that their clients must be tried in juvenile court because they are suffering from mental illness.  Payton, the victim in the Slenderman stabbing, miraculously survived the attack.

Tags

Payton Leutner, Slenderman, Slenderman stabbing, Slenderman victim, Slenderman case, Juvenile Court, Adult Court

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