A Wisconsin judge ordered Friday that two girls who attempted to kill their friend over the internet meme Slender Man must stand trial as adults for attempted homicide.
In May, the two girls — both 12 at the time — invited another 12-year-old, Payton Leutner, to attend a sleepover, then took her into the woods and stabbed her 19 times, according to police records. The girls said they did it to appease Slender Man, an internet horror meme.
A passing bicyclist found Payton after the stabbing. Medical examiners said she was lucky to survive.
Police arrested the two suspects wandering through the woods, where they told law enforcement officials they believed they were going to live with Slender Man at his home.
Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren said the girls should stand trial as adults, where they could face up to 65 years in prison. However, he also scheduled additional hearings for May and June to determine if the case should move back to the juvenile system.
In December, the judge ruled that the two girls were competent to stand trial and were cognizant of their actions.
Defense attorneys argued the two girls believed that Slender Man was going to harm them and their families unless they committed the murder. The attorneys said the girls should face a lesser charge of second-degree attempted homicide, which would go to court in the juvenile system where the girls could only face prison time until they turned 25.
• Phillip Swarts can be reached at pswarts@washingtontimes.com.
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