Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser are the two responsible for the assassination attempt of one of their classmates back in 2014. Weier said in a declaration that they commit the crime to satisfy one of Slender Man’s request, as they didn’t want the fictional character to hurt them or their families. Weiers’ attorney asked the court for the elimination of the confession given by Weier back in the day as she only was 12 years old in 2014. However, the motion was denied by the judge.
Also, Weier’s attorney tried to accomplish a jury that didn’t have Waukesha County as their home area, but the judge also denied that motion. The lawyer said that she was not surprised about the judge’s ruling primarily because some days before the announcement, a body of similar proposals from the other perpetrator, Morgan Geyser, was denied.
“When you’re 12 years old and you don’t even truly understand the right to remain silent, how is that a knowing a voluntary right? Particularly when law enforcement simply reads verbatim a list of rights that are designed to be read to an adult,” said Maura McMahon, Weier’s attorney.
According to the Waukesha County legislation, and the Wisconsin law, “all murder and attempted-murder charges for children older than 10 start in adult court.” The girls were charged with first-degree intentional murder attempt, a charge that when committed by an adult could translate into a 45-year sentence. In the case of juvenile crime, the person would be incarcerated for three years and undergo supervision until their 18th birthday.
Judge’s ruling and upcoming trial
According to Michael Bohren, Waukesha County judge, Weier was in full consciousness of what she was saying when admitting the crime back in 2014, as the “interview was voluntary. The statements were voluntary. It was not in a coercive or police conduct situation.” Bohren said that he was satisfied with the preponderance of evidence in the case as well as by the fact that the Miranda rights were read to Ms. Weier and she understood every one of them.
In the event of the other motion, Weier’s attorney stated that due to the great publicity this case has had since the last two years, the best thing to do is to find a group of jurors that are not involved with the Waukesha County. However, the judge failed in allowing a trial within the crime zone if necessary. In this issue, Judge Bohren explained that “the news environment, the public comments that have been stated in this case are not inflammatory to the extent that a fair trial cannot be had.”
After judge’s Bohren decision of denying both motions, Weier’s attorney stated that all they can do now is to focus really hard on the voir dire process, and expect a strong jury questionnaire to work with in the first place.
Weier’s trial is scheduled to be held on September 11th and last about two weeks. In the case of the other perpetrator, Morgan Geyser, the trial will be in October, as there is not any specific date announced.
Source: Fox 6 Now