Doctor finds Morgan Geyser competent for trial in Slenderman stabbing case

WAUKESHA (WITI) — One of the accused attackers in the so-called "Slenderman" stabbing may soon be fit to stand trial. A state doctor has given the go-ahead barely three months after Morgan Geyser was found incompetent and put into treatment.

"It states in this psychiatrist's opinion to a reasonable degree of medical certainty that at the present time Ms. Morgan Geyser has substantial mental capacity to understand the proceedings and to assist in her own defense unquote. To me, that means that she's competent," said Judge Michael Bohren of the Waukesha County Circuit Court.

Morgan Geyser, Anissa Weier

Geyser is one of two girls accused of stabbing a classmate 19 times back in May. It was an attempt to please the fictional character known as Slenderman.

In August, Geyser was found incompetent and put into treatment. On Wednesday, November 12th, a doctor's report indicated her mental state had improved -- and suggested she is fit to stand trial.

That said, the judge is holding off on a final decision until Geyser's attorney has had a chance to discuss the report with his client.

"Well, different doctors are doing different evaluations. So we've got to talk to Morgan and see what how we're going to address this," said Anthony Cotton, Geyser's attorney.

Back in August when Geyser was first declared incompetent, FOX6 News spoke with Marquette University Law School professor and former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske.

"Most people become mentally competent within the year or there's a determination they are never going to be mentally competent," said Geske.

It's important to remember that a defendant's competency evaluation is not the same thing as determining that person's mental state at the time of the crime. Geske explained that competency is based on the defendant's ability to assist in her own defense.

"It has nothing to do with whether or not she's guilty or not guilty by reason of insanity for the offense itself," said Geske.

Geyser had been receiving treatment at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute in Oshkosh -- and will continue to stay there for now. Her next hearing is now set for November 18th.