Change of plea planned in Missouri State professor's death

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     SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) – Attorneys for a man charged with killing a retired Missouri State University professor say they will enter a new plea for the suspect.

     The Springfield News-Leader reports attorney Dee Wampler will file a motion this week to change 44-year-old Edward Gutting’s plea from not guilty to not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

     Gutting, an assistant professor at Missouri State, is charged with first-degree murder and four other felonies in the August 2016 death of professor Marc Cooper and the wounding of Cooper’s wife, Nancy.

     A court hearing on the amended plea is scheduled for March 20.

     Investigators say Gutting stabbed Marc Cooper to death and stabbed Nancy Cooper several time at the Coopers’ home. A motive has not been publicly disclosed.






   

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