Roderick Geronimo, 49 of Poultney was emotionless as he entered a Rutland, Vermont courtroom on Tuesday.
He pleaded not guilty to charges that he killed his 80-year-old mother, Gertrudes Alwardt, just 24 hours before in her East Poultney home.
That came as shocking news to next door neighbor Linda Knowlton.
She says Geronimo was kind to his mother who had been suffering from cancer.
"It's really very difficult because you just don't expect something like this to happen in this neighborhood," said Knowlton.
On Monday, state police say Geronimo called 911 saying his mother had fallen.
But when they got to the hospital, his story changed.
"He didn't say it was accidental, he said he caused his mother's death," said Det. Lt. Tim Oliver.
Court papers reveal Geronimo beat his mother, because he believed she was possessed.
In his confession, Geronimo says he smashed a table into Alwardt, and then hit her with bottles.
An attack he says that God directed.
On Tuesday, a number of Vermont State troopers, including the crime scene search team made their way back to the home to look for clues in Monday's incident.
"He told us he did it and we're matching it up with the evidence at the scene," said Oliver.
For people who live in the small, quiet community, it's still hard to comprehend how something like this happened.
"Rod confessed to something that he's got to live with for the rest of his life," said Knowlton.
Geronimo is being held without bail.
A bail hearing is set for next week.
