With Two Adjustments in Wake of ‘Psych’ Evaluations, Judge Hupp Accepts Conditional Release Plan for Natalie Godin

On the 9 a.m. morning docket of June 17, 2026, in Warren County Circuit Court, Courtroom B, defense and prosecution attorneys made their cases for the parameters of a Release Plan for defendant Natalie Godin. Godin, now 50, was initially arrested April 22, 2025, on various charges related to the death in her home on Hill Street of a neighbor, P. J. Washington. Washington, 71, was said to have been in frail health and had been required to carry oxygen at all times.

As Royal Examiner readers may recall, as initially reported, “On April 22, 2025, Godin’s husband, Michael Lancomb, entered their home to find her beside Washington, who was lying on the floor by the foyer, naked and covered with water, according to the prosecution’s evidence. Washington appeared to be deceased, according to evidence.

“A state medical examiner ruled Washington’s death a homicide caused by complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertensive, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease during an assault. However, the medical examiner indicated that he could not determine if the injuries to Washington, notably the removal of his eyes and the water forced into his throat, occurred before or after his death.”

Initially, it had been thought that Godin, 49, would be charged with First Degree Murder. However, in the wake of new information becoming available, the Commonwealth Attorney’s office sought to reduce the charge to Involuntary Manslaughter. Discussion of the additional information surrounding the case indicates that the prosecutor’s office favored the reduced charge to be more assured of a conviction.

That new information included relatives and friends of Godin, indicating that, in recent times, she had been exhibiting increasingly unusual personal behavior. That included making “odd internet searches”, accusing her sister of practicing “Wicca”, her husband of having an affair, as well as other behaviors that those close to her found troubling or not based in reality. It might be noted that “Wicca” is defined as “a modern, nature-focused pagan religion” whose practitioners often refer to themselves as witches.

With these variables becoming involved, the court ordered independent psychological evaluations of defendant Godin. The results of those evaluations and how to incorporate them into the legal case’s sentencing were the topics of Wednesday’s June 17, 2026, hearing. Coincidentally, Godin’s husband, who was present for the hearing, as was a relative and friend of the victim’s, informed us that the hearing date, June 17, was his wife’s 50th birthday.

RSW Regional Jail mugshot of Natalie Godin upon her April 2025 arrest on a suspected role in the death of her older neighbor in her home. Royal Examiner File Photos

Release and Therapy

When the court convened at 9 a.m., presiding Judge Dennis L. Hupp addressed the hearing topic, “a Release Plan of Developmental Processes,” to treat Godin upon her release from the State Psychological facilities, from which she had been transferred from RSW Regional Jail for psychological evaluations. Those appeared to be Western State and Central State Hospitals.

During the June 17th hearing, it appeared both the prosecution and defense had, in principle, accepted a submitted plan to release Godin with recommended mental health counseling and oversight into the coming year. The extent, length, and compatibility of the various mental health suggestions were the main topic of discussion between defense attorney Peter Greenspun and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Ilona White. One involved therapist, Doctor Simopoulos, was connected remotely and gave his perspective on the planned release and associated mental health care.

An online search indicated that: “Eugene F. Simopoulos is a Virginia-based, board-certified general and forensic psychiatrist.”

He was asked about the time between his psychological analysis and those that came later. He disputed that it was a major issue in Godin’s overall analysis. Dr. Simopoulos called the defendant “intelligent” and “very insightful about her situation”. He also verified that cannabis use by the defendant had been identified as a contributing factor, if not the major player, in her psychological problems.

He also told the court, “I have no concern she will not follow through on her rehab plan,” adding that, “She has conditions that require an extra set of eyes on her lifetime of issues.” Shortly after those observations, the court called for a brief recess at 10:05 a.m. The hearing reconvened at 10:14 a.m. At that time, both sides on the legal front noted that no further witnesses or testimony were scheduled.

Defense counsel Greenspun, whose law firm is based in Fairfax, told the court that it was possible his client could be “released today,” but that there was a plan “in place” to accommodate release the following day. He also observed that his client had appeared in court wearing RSW Jail clothing because she had been picked up the previous day by jail units to ensure she got to court on schedule. Most recently, she has apparently been housed in Central State Hospital’s psych unit.

RSW Jail, where defendant Natalie Godin spent her final night prior to her release hearing from State medical facilities. Both defense and prosecution counsel appeared to agree on the basics of Godin’s supervised release, grounded in psychological principles.

Judge Hupp said that it was proper legally that she be housed in custody until this hearing’s result was issued, even if it included a final night back in a criminal facility from the mental health facility where she had been in custody. The judge then noted that he would rely heavily on the testimony of the medical professionals involved in the psychiatric analysis ordered by the court.

Judge Hupp then said he “found the plan appropriate” and would add two items to the suggested release order. One was that a new psychological evaluation be conducted in the first 30 days of her release. The second was that “drug testing” be continued twice a month for a full year, rather than being dropped to once a month after a few months into her release. Neither attorney expressed opposition to the altered court-ordered treatment methods and scheduling.

Judge Hupp then addressed Godin directly. Calling her “intelligent,” he asked if she understood that violations of her release plan would lead to her being returned to custody in a mental health facility. She replied with two words: “I do.”

And with that, the hearing adjourned at 10:25 a.m.