Slenderman stabbing case: Morgan Geyser will be tried in Waukesha Co., trial to begin in October
WAUKESHA COUNTY -- A Waukesha County judge ruled on Monday, February 13th that accused Slenderman stabbing defendant Morgan Geyser can have a fair trial in that county. That means she will not have a change of venue as requested by her attorney. The judge also ruled that Geyser's confession in this case will stand.
Geyser's lawyer asked that the jury not be chosen from Waukesha County due to all the publicity surrounding this case -- and he asked that her statements and confession be tossed out.
Judge Michael Bohren on Monday ruled that the statement Geyser made in 2014 confessing to the Slenderman stabbing can be used in the trial. He also said Geyser's statements at age 12 were voluntary and she was read her rights -- so her confession stands.
Morgan Geyser
As to the publicity in this case, Geyser's attorney noted that news stories and social media reports on this case spanned the globe. The judge said the publicity was not inflammatory and was based on public record.
Judge Michael Bohren
"He saw the blood on her clothing and asked if she was injured. Ms. Geyser said 'no.' (The investigator) then asked where the blood came from and Ms. Geyser responded she was forced to stab her best friend to death," Judge Bohren said in court Monday.
This complex case stems from May 2014 when Geyser and Anissa Weier -- then-12-year-old girls allegedly stabbed their friend 19 times to please the internet horror character Slenderman. The victim survived.
Waukesha police investigate stabbing incident
Waukesha police investigate stabbing incident
Morgan Geyser, Anissa Weier
Back in December, a judge ruled Geyser and defendant Anissa Weier will be tried separately.
In court Monday, it was determined Geyser's trial will begin on October 2nd.
Geyser's attorney said he was disappointed by the judge's ruling.
Anthony Cotton
"It's disappointing. At least with the change of venue motion, we thought we'd prevail. We thought the court would bring in jurors from out of county. I mean, the coverage has been certainly extensive and it seems like everybody in Waukesha is intimately familiar with that, so we were expecting the court would grant that motion," Anthony Cotton said.
Cotton said he's hired the same jury expert to help with jury selection that was used in the infamous Casey Anthony trial. Anthony was acquitted five years ago of killing her two-year-old daughter.
Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier
Weier will have a similar hearing next week.
Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.