LIBERTY, Mo. — The trial of Joshua Rocha, the man convicted of first-degree murder in the killing of North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez, continued Monday.

Vasquez was shot and killed on July 19, 2022. Last week, a jury found Rocha guilty of first-degree murder. Now, jurors must decide whether he will be sentenced to death or life in prison.

On Monday morning, the defense called to the stand Dr. Scott Bender, a clinical neuropsychologist and professor at the University of Virginia.

Bender diagnosed Rocha with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

He said that he looked at Rocha's medical, academic and medical records as part of his evaluation. Bender also interviewed Rocha as part of his two-day evaluation, and spoke with several of Rocha's family members.

When diagnosing someon

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