A psychologist said in court Wednesday that a suspect in a Springfield murder believed he was "doing the right thing" when he stabbed a woman to death last year.
Nicholas Godejohn, 27, is charged with first-degree murder. . . in connection with the June 2015 killing of Clauddine "Dee Dee" Blanchard, 48, in a case that brought national news outlets to Springfield.
At a hearing Wednesday, Springfield psychologist Kent Franks . . . described Godejohn as a suggestible man with no friends who is on the autism spectrum and spent much of his adult life either surfing the internet or playing video games.
"His ability to understand the gravity of what was taking place was more childlike than adult," Franks said.
Judge Calvin Holden ruled Wednesday that Franks will be allowed to testify at Godejohn's bench trial, which is set for Feb. 6.
Franks, the psychologist, said in court Wednesday that during interviews at the jail, Godejohn said he agreed to participate in the murder plot because he wanted to rescue Gypsy Blanchard and free her from captivity.
Franks said Godejohn fell in love with Gypsy Blanchard after they met on a dating website. He said they communicated for about three years before the homicide.
