Morgan Geyser, one of the two teenagers who stabbed their friend 19 times to appease the online character Slender Man, penned a letter to her victim ahead of her sentencing.
The letter was read out by the 15-year-old’s mom in an interview with ABC 20/20 as the teenager was sentenced by a judge to spend 40 years in a mental hospital. She had pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder as part of a deal with prosecutors to avoid going to jail.
Anissa Weier, 16, with whom she carried out the attack, was sentenced in December when she was ordered to spend 25 years in a mental health facility after pleading guilty to attempted second-degree homicide due to mental illness or defect. Both girls were charged as adults.
Speaking to ABC 20/20, Morgan’s mother Angie reads out a letter that her daughter wrote to her victim Payton Leutner before being sentenced.
It says: “I wish I had words that could make everything better, but I don’t so all I can say is how sorry I am. I was always afraid of the day you’d realize I was a freak and leave me behind.
“But you’re a strong girl, stronger than me and you always were. And I can promise you not a day will go by that I don’t regret what I did.”
During her sentencing, Morgan broke down in court while apologizing to Payton and her family, saying: “I never meant this to happen.”
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelThe 20/20 episode also includes interviews with Kristi Weier, the mother of Anissa Weier, as well as Dr. Melissa Westendorf, a forensic psychologist involved in the case; Anthony Cotton, Geyser’s defense attorney; and Waukesha County Assistant District Attorney Kevin Osborne, who prosecuted the case.
The attack took place in May 2014 after Payton, then 12, was invited to a sleepover by her two friends, who were also both 12 at the time. They later claimed they carried out the attack to appease the online character Slender Man.
ABC 20/20 airs Fridays at 10pm EST.