Man Pleads Not Guilty in Springfield Stabbing

A 26-year-old man has entered a not guilty plea to charges stemming from the death in Springfield of his girlfriend's mother.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that Nicholas Godejohn pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the stabbing death last month of 48-year-old Clauddinnea "Dee Dee" Blanchard.

His lawyer declined comment Monday.

Prosecutors say Godejohn was in an online relationship with Dee Dee's daughter, Gypsy Blanchard, for two years. Gypsy Blanchard faces the same charges in her mother's death. They have a preliminary hearing July 24 and are being held in the Greene County Jail on $1 million bond.

Authorities also have said the Blanchards claimed to be Hurricane Katrina victims in a financial fraud scheme that included receiving community and government funds.