U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge called the parties back into court this afternoon and said it appears they won’t be able to find a local evaluator to do the necessary mental evaluation of Joseph Duncan – so the alternative is sending him to the Bureau of Prisons in Seattle for a review that would include observation for 30 to 45 days. Duncan was taken aback by that, saying he didn’t intend to delay his sentencing proceedings. “That wasn’t my understanding or my intention when I initiated this request,” Duncan told the judge. "I would ask the court if there’s anything I can do, any waiver.” The judge responded, “Separate and apart from just agreeing to go forward with your counsel?”

Duncan responded, “To me, that’s not really an option.”

Lodge then asked Duncan if he’d agree to have his attorneys continue to represent him through jury selection, so “we wouldn’t have to hold up these 350 people” who are in the pool of potential jurors. “As a matter of fact, I was going to request that,” Duncan said. “That sounds like a good idea to have them finish doing the jury selection. You’re very right about that being very technical – I’ve noticed that. … My decision to represent myself is very important to me.”

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