Slenderman defense attorney: Girl cannot face trial in adult court

WAUKESHA COUNTY (AP) — An attorney for one of two young girls accused of stabbing their classmate to please the horror character Slenderman is arguing his client doesn't belong in adult court.

Defense lawyer Anthony Cotton filed a brief Tuesday with Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren arguing that he can't bind her over for trial in adult court on an attempted first-degree homicide charge.

Cotton contends she should have been charged with second-degree attempted homicide because of a mitigating circumstance, namely that she believed Slenderman would hurt her and her family if she didn't kill someone for him. Adult courts don't have automatic jurisdiction over minors charged with second-degree attempted homicide like they do over minors facing first-degree.

Prosecutors didn't immediately return a voicemail message Tuesday seeking comment on the brief.