CHAMPAIGN COUNTY — UPDATE @ 3:02 p.m.:
A Champaign County teen who says he has multiple personalities and is accused of killing his surrogate mother pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity Tuesday.
Donovan Nicholas, 15, is charged with aggravated murder and murder in Champaign County Common Pleas Court. He was ordered to undergo a psychological exam because of the insanity plea.
RELATED: Expert: Champaign Co. murder suspect has multiple personalities
He appeared for an arraignment Tuesday where his attorney asked for him to be allowed to wear civilian clothes to court and to get a haircut.
“I’m going to stay calm but I’m pretty angry over this: He’s been incarcerated for seven months and hasn’t been able to get a haircut,” defense attorney Darrell Heckman said in court.
Champaign County Judge Nick Selvaggio denied the request.
Bond was set for Nicholas at $700,000.
INITIAL REPORT:
A 15-year-old Champaign County teen who a psychologist diagnosed with multiple personalities will be tried as an adult on a murder charge in connection with the killing of his dad’s girlfriend, an attorney in the case said.
Donovan Nicholas was 14 at the time prosecutors alleged he shot and stabbed 40-year-old Heidi Fay Taylor in April at his home. Nicholas has pleaded not guilty to an aggravated murder charge.
>>RELATED: Expert: Champaign Co. murder suspect has multiple personalities
He can be heard in a 9-1-1 call obtained by the Springfield News-Sun saying someone else inside him killed Taylor.
A bond hearing has been set for Nicholas for Tuesday afternoon. After the hearing, he will likely be ordered to appear in Champaign County Common Pleas Court, his defense attorney said.
For the full story, go to SpringfieldNewsSun.com.
