MADISON, Wis. (WBAY) – Two girls accused of stabbing a classmate to please the horror character Slender Man will be charged as adults.
The girls were 12 years old in 2014 when, investigators say, they lured friend Payton Leutner, 12, to a park and stabbed her 19 times. The girls left her for dead. Leutner survived the attack.
Their attorneys argue they should be tried as juveniles.
The Associated Press reports the 2nd District Appeals court Wednesday affirmed a lower court’s ruling that “it was reasonable to try both girls as adults.”
The girls can still appeal to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to have their cases moved to juvenile court.
Anissa Weier, 14, and Morgan Geyser, 14, are charged with Attempted 1st Degree Intentional Homicide for the 2014 near-fatal stabbing.
The girls told investigators they were motivated by fictional horror character Slender Man.
Slender Man is described in fictional stories as an unnaturally tall, thin demon-like figure that lacks facial features. He is said to live in a mansion in a forest. Authorities say the girls intended to sacrifice Payton for Slender Man and hoped to live with him in that fictional home as a result.
In April, a judge rejected motions to reduce bond for Weier and Geyser. They remain in custody on $500,000 bonds.The Associated Press contributed to this report