Spokane7
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March 15, 2011 in City, Idaho
Joseph Duncan guilty plea brings 10th life sentence
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A convicted mass-murderer pleaded guilty here today to the 1997 murder and torture of 10-year-old Anthony Martinez in exchange for life in prison without parole.
The California guilty plea brings Joseph Duncan his 10th life sentence, in addition to nine previous life terms and three death sentences, admitting to the death of four members of a family near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
He also waived any appellate rights in Anthony’s murder and any motions filed in the California case. The Idaho case is still pending an appeal before the U.S. 9th Circuit Court.
He also pleaded guilty to six special circumstances, including the kidnapping, molestation and torture of Anthony before his death. He was also charged with special circumstances for the murders of Brenda Groene, her fiancé Mark McKenzie and her oldest son Slade Groene in their home when they were bludgeoned to death with a hammer.
“You are charged with the murder of Anthony Martinez. Do you intend to plead guilty?” Judge David Downing asked.
“Yes I do,” Duncan answered. He quietly said “guilty” when asked for his plea. And answered “admit” to each special circumstance allegation the judge read.
Duncan sat with his attorneys wearing a red jail uniform and a bulletproof vest and answered the judge’s questions in a hushed voice.
Anthony’s family sat in the courtroom as they watched the man who killed Anthony 14 years ago and listened to a prosecutor detail the killings Duncan admitted to. Anthony’s mother, Diana Gonzales, bowed her head and wept.
Duncan will return to the Indio court April 5 to be sentenced in Anthony’s death. Anthony’s family is expected to give a victim impact statement to address Duncan and the court.
Man dies following early Saturday car crash 
misjustice on March 15 at 12:11 p.m.
This is absurd! Tenth life sentence? Where is the death penalty for this piece of garbage? Innocent children have been murdered by this man & he gets to live the life of leisure with tax payers taking care of his food, bed, health needs & any other item he may want/need.
It is time to change the plea bargain way of the prosecutors. Enough is enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!
codym on March 15 at 12:16 p.m.
Gramma - Reread the second paragraph…
Orange on March 15 at 1:02 p.m.
I wouldn’t call it “leisure” gramma. I’m sure he’s had a target on his back since joining the prison corp. In fact, I highly doubt he’ll make it out of there alive.
madscientist on March 15 at 1:21 p.m.
Orange, obviously we won’t make it out there alive. 10 life sentences with no parole means just that.
Charlie on March 15 at 2:37 p.m.
Time for your last curtain call Joseph. You may have the choice of needle, noose, electric chair, firing squad or just for you, a sledge hammer. Don’t be shy, choose…
Nahzuul on March 15 at 2:52 p.m.
Madscientist, Orange was referring to the very real danger that Duncan will be killed in prison, possibly by another inmate, not his sentences. Even other prisoners don’t take kindly to child murder and torture. Living with that can’t be much of a life for Duncan.
I would love to see this guy die as much as anyone, but it costs taxpayers more to execute, due to the endless appeals and legal costs, than it does to simpy throw away the key. Where is Dexter when you need him? ;)
misjustice on March 15 at 4:33 p.m.
My point being………. He should have gotten death for each of his crimes. He has 3 death sentences that go along with 10 life sentences.
The money the prosecutor wasted in prosecuting this last case is absurd. Granted the family wanted closure, but at what expense? He still gets ANOTHER life sentence. He needs to meet his maker & not 45 years from now when he exhausts all his appeals & taxpayers patience.
west on March 15 at 5:39 p.m.
would 20 more life terms bring justice? Nah….boring news…. except for surviving kin..they suffer…
Spokane_Citizen on March 15 at 5:42 p.m.
Gramma, you and I often don’t agree on a lot of things, but in this case you are ‘right as rain’. Society doesn’t need to waste another dime defending the rights of this disgusting and totally guilty monster. There’s no ‘gray area’ or doubt about his guilt…absolutely nothing circumstantial….Duncan is an eminently deserving recipient of the death penalty.
lewis8457 on March 15 at 6:54 p.m.
Take him to the nearest tree and hang him. Doesn’t cost a cent.