Defense Attorney Bob Motta on If Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s Ex-Boyfriend Nick Godejohn Be Set Free Too
Jan 10, 2024, 04:00 PM
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How does the legal system navigate the murky waters of a case where the lines between victim and perpetrator are blurred? This is the central theme of a riveting discussion on "Hidden Killers," a podcast hosted by Tony Brueski. Joining him is defense attorney Bob Motta, host of "Defense Diaries," to unravel the complex case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Nicholas Godejohn.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard's story is well-known: her harrowing life of abuse at the hands of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, culminating in orchestrating her mother's murder. However, the focus of this podcast episode is Nicholas Godejohn, the man who carried out the stabbing and is serving a life sentence without parole. Brueski poses a poignant question: "Is it a flaw in the system that Gypsy Rose is free while Godejohn faces life in prison?"
Motta, with his legal expertise, sheds light on the intricacies of this case. He acknowledges Godejohn's mental health issues and low IQ but doesn't necessarily see his life sentence as just. Motta argues, "There's an argument to be made no matter what his motive was... his motive was kind of pure." He compares Gypsy's psychological torture to other high-profile cases, asserting the severity of her situation.
The discussion also touches on the legal and moral complexities of Gypsy Rose profiting from her story. Motta sees no issue with this, distinguishing her case from typical applications of Son of Sam laws. "She survived it. She did her time on it, and it was time that the state thought was ample," Motta states, supporting her right to tell her story and benefit from it.
Motta points out that Godejohn's situation could have been handled differently, blaming his representation for not mitigating the sentence effectively. He draws parallels to the Jennifer Van Nunen case, where a plea agreement led to a more lenient sentence for a similar crime. Motta believes that every case should be evaluated based on its unique circumstances, implying that Godejohn's sentence might be overly harsh given the context.
Brueski and Motta's conversation raises essential questions about the legal system's handling of complex cases like Gypsy Rose's. Motta's perspective as a defense attorney provides insight into the nuances of legal defense, plea bargaining, and the role of a defendant's mental state in determining their sentence.
In closing, Motta expresses his satisfaction with the outcome of Gypsy's case, despite the complexities and controversies surrounding it. He stands firm on her right to share her story and earn from it, given the unprecedented abuse she endured and the time she served.
This discussion on "Hidden Killers" leaves us pondering a critical question: In a legal system where black-and-white judgments are the norm, how do we ensure fairness and justice in cases that exist in a moral and legal grey area? The case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Nicholas Godejohn challenges us to think deeply about the intricacies of justice, mental health, and the role of the legal system in addressing crimes born out of extreme circumstances.
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The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
Gypsy Rose Blanchard's story is well-known: her harrowing life of abuse at the hands of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, culminating in orchestrating her mother's murder. However, the focus of this podcast episode is Nicholas Godejohn, the man who carried out the stabbing and is serving a life sentence without parole. Brueski poses a poignant question: "Is it a flaw in the system that Gypsy Rose is free while Godejohn faces life in prison?"
Motta, with his legal expertise, sheds light on the intricacies of this case. He acknowledges Godejohn's mental health issues and low IQ but doesn't necessarily see his life sentence as just. Motta argues, "There's an argument to be made no matter what his motive was... his motive was kind of pure." He compares Gypsy's psychological torture to other high-profile cases, asserting the severity of her situation.
The discussion also touches on the legal and moral complexities of Gypsy Rose profiting from her story. Motta sees no issue with this, distinguishing her case from typical applications of Son of Sam laws. "She survived it. She did her time on it, and it was time that the state thought was ample," Motta states, supporting her right to tell her story and benefit from it.
Motta points out that Godejohn's situation could have been handled differently, blaming his representation for not mitigating the sentence effectively. He draws parallels to the Jennifer Van Nunen case, where a plea agreement led to a more lenient sentence for a similar crime. Motta believes that every case should be evaluated based on its unique circumstances, implying that Godejohn's sentence might be overly harsh given the context.
Brueski and Motta's conversation raises essential questions about the legal system's handling of complex cases like Gypsy Rose's. Motta's perspective as a defense attorney provides insight into the nuances of legal defense, plea bargaining, and the role of a defendant's mental state in determining their sentence.
In closing, Motta expresses his satisfaction with the outcome of Gypsy's case, despite the complexities and controversies surrounding it. He stands firm on her right to share her story and earn from it, given the unprecedented abuse she endured and the time she served.
This discussion on "Hidden Killers" leaves us pondering a critical question: In a legal system where black-and-white judgments are the norm, how do we ensure fairness and justice in cases that exist in a moral and legal grey area? The case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Nicholas Godejohn challenges us to think deeply about the intricacies of justice, mental health, and the role of the legal system in addressing crimes born out of extreme circumstances.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com