NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) – Though convicted serial killer Michael Ross suffers from mental diseases and defects, he is able to decide to face his death sentence, a state psychiatrist testified in court Tuesday.

Ross appeared in New London Superior Court for a hearing to determine if he is competent to make a decision to die. He decided earlier this year to waive all appeals, and his execution is scheduled for Jan. 26.

State psychiatrist Dr. Michael Norko, who has examined Ross, told Judge Patrick Clifford that he believes that Ross suffers from severe anxiety episodes, but that he is competent to make the decision.

If he pursued the full appeals process, Ross said, he believed that he would receive the death sentence again if he was awarded a new penalty phase.

While he said he believes he should get a life sentence, he said that likely wouldn’t happen. His degree in economics from Cornell University helped him make the decision to die through a cost-benefit analysis, he told the judge.

“The cost isn’t worth it,” Ross said. “The life sentence isn’t worth dragging it out another ten or 15 years.”