As Gypsy Rose Blanchard navigates life as a free woman again after serving time for her role in her mother's killing, her ex-boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn continues to try to appeal his own murder conviction over her death.
Clauddine "Dee Dee" Blanchard was found fatally stabbed in 2015 in the Springfield, Mo., home she shared with her daughter. Gypsy pleaded guilty to second-degree murder of her mom, who she had accused of abuse, and sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2016. Her now-ex told police he stabbed Dee Dee because he wanted to protect Gypsy. In 2018, the 34-year-old was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
During his trial, Nicholas' attorneys had argued he had a diminished capacity because he has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and an IQ on the low side of average, and on Dec. 5, he filed a new appeal over his conviction, Court TV reported Jan. 3. The outlet said he is alleging that his "counsel failed to act as a reasonably competent attorney under the same or similar circumstances by failing to fully investigate and present evidence from a qualified neuropsychologist specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder to support the diminished capacity defense."
His public defender, Tyler Coyle, stated that in Nicholas' last trial, he had "argued that his mental state did not meet the requirements for first-degree murder. The jury should have only found him guilty of second-degree murder," per Springfield news outlet KY3.
"If he were to get a new trial," he continued, "then it would start over and there wouldn't be any previous finding of first-degree or second degree."
Nicholas, who is serving his time in a Missouri prison, had previously filed an appeal soon after his conviction, arguing the court had abused its discretion in excluding testimony from a defense psychological expert about ASD. The judge denied the initial motion for appeal, noting that "the defense counsel is not obligated to shop for expert witnesses who might provide more favorable testimony," Court TV reported.
In February 2023, a judge also denied a motion filed by attorneys for Godejohn to set aside his murder conviction and sentence based on alleged poor representation and receive a new trial, Springfield news outlet KY3 reported.
Gypsy, who was released from prison early Dec. 28 after serving seven years out of her 10-year sentence, had testified in court that her mother had kept her largely isolated from the outside world, forced her to use a wheelchair and to undergo unnecessary medical treatments and told people that her daughter was disabled and had cancer and other diseases. Upon Gypsy's arrest, police discovered she was actually healthy.
Gypsy, now married for more than a year to Ryan Anderson, recently spoke about Nicholas while discussing her case and life after prison. "I'm sure that we both have a lot of regrets," she said in a Jan. 5 interview on Good Morning America. "All I can really say is that I did my time. He's doing his time for his part. And I wish him well on his journey."
See photos of Gypsy after her prison release:
"First Selfie of Freedom!"
After being released from prison on Dec. 28, 2023, Gypsy Rose Blanchard snapped her first Instagram selfie.
"Married Life"
Gypsy and then-husband Ryan Anderson shared a glimpse into their new era together.
"Sister Love"
Gypsy reunited with her sister Mia Blanchard amid her new chapter.
Goodbye 2023
"A New Years Eve Eve kiss with my hubby."
Turning the Page
Gypsy also ended 2023 with an Instagram selfie.
Red Carpet Debut
Gypsy and Ryan walked their first red carpet in January 2024 at the premiere of her Lifetime docuseries The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard.
PDA Alert
Gypsy and Ryan kissed on the red carpet at the premiere.
Breakup
In late March 2024, three months after her prison release, Gypsy shared that she and Ryan broke up.
"People have been asking what is going on in my life," she wrote in a statement on her private Facebook page, according to People. "Unfortunately my husband and I are going through a separation and I moved in with my parents home down the bayou."
Physical Transformation
Gypsy underwent a rhinopasty and septoplasty (nose job) April 5, 2024. Her physical transformation will be documented on Lifetime's Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up.
Divorce
Gypsy filed for divorce from Ryan on April 8, 2024, according to court documents obtained by TMZ. The filing came nearly two years after their July 2022 prison wedding.
Gypsy's Tribute to Her "Soulmate"
In late April 2024, weeks after filing for divorce, Gypsy announced she got back together with ex-fiancé Ken Urker. The following month, she made their rekindled romance social media official by sharing a video montage of their romantic moments on TikTok.
Love Story
In her video, Gypsy described her love story with Ken as "legendary."
The Burning Question
And when a fan, using her own past comments about ex Ryan, took the oppotunity to ask her in the comments a NSFW question about Ken, Gypsy responded quickly and candidly.
Animal Style
Gypsy tried her first In-N-Out Burger, a Double-Double burger served animal-style. She rated it a 7.
Catching Up With a Kardashian
Gypsy called getting to meet Kim Kardashian, who has become a criminal justice advocate in recent years, a "huge honor."
"She's a really sweet woman and I really appreciate her taking the time to talk with me," Gypsy told E! News host Keltie Knight. "We had a lot to talk about as far as prison reform goes. I know that she's done some really amazing things with prison reform. And that's really close to my heart because I've been on that side of the fence."
Oh Baby
Less than three months after filing for divorce, Gypsy announced that she and her new boyfriend Ken were expecting their first baby together.
"I'm happy to announce that I am 11 weeks pregnant," she shared in a July 2024 YouTube video. "This was not planned at all, it was completely unexpected."
Body Art
Gypsy showed off her meaningful new tattoos in July.
It's a Girl
Gypsy and Ken celebrated at a sex reveal party for their first baby in August 2024 and, at a baby shower in November, shared that they'll be naming her Aurora Raina Urker.
Harrowing Memoir Details
With co-authors Melissa Moore and Michele Matrisciani, Gypsy told her dramatic life story to date in her book My Time to Stand, which came out in December.
She's a Mom
Gypsy gave birth to her first baby on Dec. 28, 2024, exactly one year after her prison release.