Defense wants mental exam for Missouri State instructor

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Defense attorneys are seeking a psychological exam for a Missouri State University instructor who is charged with fatally stabbing a former colleague.

The Springfield News-Leader reported 43-year-old Edward Gutting has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of retired professor Marc Cooper. Gutting’s attorneys said Monday in seeking the exam their client might suffer from a mental disease or defect. They said he lacks capacity to assist in his own defense.

Prosecutors allege he killed Cooper earlier this month in the 66-year-old man’s home. Police are investigating a motive.

Gutting is a Princeton graduate and has taught at Missouri State since 2011 in history and the department of modern and classical languages. He previously was an assistant professor of classics at the University of Mississippi.

Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.news-leader.com