The case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, captivated the nation with its twisted tale of Munchausen by proxy and a desperate plea for freedom. While Gypsy Rose has recently been released from prison after serving time for her role in the crime, her ex-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, remains behind bars, serving a life sentence. Weeks before Gypsy’s release, Godejohn filed an appeal, reigniting the legal battle surrounding this complex and tragic case.
Nicholas Godejohn’s prison photo. (Potosi Correctional Center)
Godejohn’s life sentence without parole stands in stark contrast to Gypsy Rose’s negotiated plea deal, which resulted in a 10-year sentence. While Gypsy admitted her involvement and secured a reduced sentence, Godejohn chose to go to trial, where he was ultimately convicted by a jury. His latest appeal challenges this conviction and the subsequent life sentence.
The Genesis of a Deadly Plot
The story began online, on a Christian dating website, where Godejohn and Gypsy Rose connected in 2012. Their online relationship quickly blossomed into a secret romance, fueled by Gypsy’s desperate desire to escape her mother’s suffocating control. Dee Dee Blanchard, diagnosed with Factitious Disorder, subjected Gypsy Rose to years of unnecessary medical treatments and forced her to feign disabilities, including using a wheelchair and feeding tube. Gypsy confided in Godejohn, revealing the extent of her mother’s deception and her yearning for a life free from manipulation. By May 2014, court documents reveal the pair had devised at least three plans to separate Gypsy from her mother.
The Crime and the Aftermath
The tragic culmination of their plans unfolded on June 10, 2015. Godejohn, armed with a knife and duct tape provided by Gypsy, traveled from Wisconsin to the Blanchard home in Springfield, Missouri. In his appeal, Godejohn admits to the murder, detailing the chilling moment he paused, questioning his resolve before fatally stabbing Dee Dee Blanchard 14 times. The couple then fled to Godejohn’s home in Wisconsin.
Godejohn’s defense at trial centered on his diminished capacity, citing his Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and a low-average IQ. His legal team argued that these factors, combined with Gypsy Rose’s manipulative influence, significantly impacted his ability to deliberate and make rational decisions at the time of the murder.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard after her release from prison. (Photo: Daniel William McKnight)
A History of Appeals and Claims of Ineffective Counsel
Following his conviction, Godejohn filed an initial appeal, focusing on the trial court’s decision to exclude testimony from a defense psychological expert regarding ASD and its impact on his capacity to deliberate. An evidentiary hearing included testimony from one of Godejohn’s trial attorneys, who asserted that Gypsy Rose, having learned manipulation from her mother, had coerced Godejohn into committing the murder. This appeal was denied, with the judge citing trial strategy as the rationale for the exclusion of expert testimony.
Godejohn’s latest appeal, filed on December 5, 2023, shifts the focus from trial strategy to ineffective counsel. The appeal contends that his trial attorneys failed to adequately investigate and present evidence from a qualified neuropsychologist specializing in ASD, which would have supported the diminished capacity defense. It emphasizes that this was not a matter of “expert-shopping” but rather an unreasonable failure to investigate a critical aspect of the defense.
The Disparity in Sentencing and the Plea Bargain
The appeal also highlights the disparity between Godejohn’s life sentence and Gypsy Rose’s 10-year sentence. It reveals that Godejohn had been offered a plea agreement for life in prison but opted for a trial, hoping for a sentence closer to Gypsy’s. This decision, made in the context of his ASD and alleged manipulation, forms a key argument in his appeal.
A Complex Case Continues
With Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s release from prison on December 28, 2023, the spotlight returns to Nicholas Godejohn and his ongoing legal battle. His appeal raises crucial questions about the role of ASD in criminal responsibility, the complexities of manipulation in abusive relationships, and the effectiveness of legal representation in achieving a just outcome. As the legal system grapples with these issues, the case of Nicholas Godejohn continues to serve as a stark reminder of the intricate interplay between mental health, manipulation, and the pursuit of justice.
The Future of the Appeal
The outcome of Godejohn’s appeal remains uncertain. The court will need to carefully consider the arguments presented, weighing the evidence of his ASD, the alleged manipulation by Gypsy Rose, and the effectiveness of his legal representation. The decision will have significant implications for Godejohn’s future and may contribute to a broader understanding of how the legal system addresses the complexities of mental health and manipulation in criminal cases. The case continues to fascinate and disturb, highlighting the dark side of human relationships and the enduring search for truth and justice.
