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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Joseph Duncan

News about the investigation, trial and sentencing of Joseph Edward Duncan for the 2005 kidnap, torture and murder of 9-year-old Dylan Groene of Coeur d’Alene; the murders of Dylan’s mother, mother’s fiance and 13-year-old brother; and the kidnapping and molestation of Dylan’s then-8-year-old sister Shasta.

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News >  Idaho

Prosecutor rejects Duncan plea offer

Joseph Duncan says he will plead guilty to four murders, kidnapping and other crimes against a Coeur d'Alene family if he's promised life in prison with no chance of parole. Duncan's lawyers said Wednesday he will confess and cooperate with prosecutors even though he still could be sentenced to death in a pending federal case. Duncan also offered to help investigators open his encrypted computer files and view pictures and videos that may be related to the case.
News >  Idaho

Groene leaves Seattle hospital after surgery

The father of kidnap victim Shasta Groene was released from a Seattle hospital on Monday after his vocal cords and a cancerous tumor were removed, the University of Washington Medical Center said. The prognosis for Steve Groene, a blues musician who lives in Coeur d'Alene, is good, according to his sister, Wendy Price.
News >  Idaho

Steve Groene files lawsuit against Duncan

Steve Groene is suing to keep the man accused of killing two of his sons and kidnapping and molesting his daughter from profiting from the crimes. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday against accused killer Joseph Duncan in U.S. Federal Court in Boise.
News >  Idaho

Feds want death penalty

The U.S. attorney general's office has given federal prosecutors the green light to seek the death penalty for murder suspect Joseph Duncan. It's a development some hope will lead to a plea deal in Kootenai County's case against Duncan, saving the county from a long and expensive trial this month. Two county commissioners said Monday they also favor such a deal to keep 9-year-old Shasta Groene from having to testify.
News >  Idaho

Duncan’s statements ruled admissible

Jurors in Joseph Duncan's triple-murder trial can hear incriminating statements the suspected killer made following his arrest, 1st District Judge Fred Gibler ruled Thursday. Gibler denied a motion by Duncan's attorneys to keep statements Duncan made about the crimes from being used against him at his trial, which is set to begin Oct. 16.
News >  Idaho

Shasta worries as trial nears

Shasta Groene is "pretty scared and nervous" about having to testify against Joseph Duncan at his triple-murder trial next month, the Idaho girl's father said Thursday. Now the 9-year-old has even more weight on her shoulders: Her father is scheduled for surgery in Seattle on Monday to have his vocal cords removed, a consequence of his throat cancer.
News >  Idaho

Feds plan to seek execution for Duncan

Federal prosecutors want to seek the death penalty for Joseph Duncan, the U.S. attorney's office confirmed Friday. The ultimate decision on whether Duncan could face death for alleged crimes against Dylan and Shasta Groene lies with the U.S. attorney general, said Jean McNeil, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office District of Idaho. McNeil said there is no timeline set for that decision.
News >  Idaho

Shasta can’t face away, lawyer says

Because Joseph Duncan isn't charged with crimes against Shasta Groene in Kootenai County, his attorney says the 9-year-old must face Duncan in court when she testifies against him later this fall. Public Defender John Adams filed a formal motion Wednesday afternoon opposing a request by prosecutors that Shasta be allowed to testify with her back turned.
News >  Idaho

Shasta may testify in person

If 1st District Judge Fred Gibler finds the 9-year-old is capable of taking the stand, Shasta Groene will be in the same room as Joseph Duncan when she testifies against her alleged abductor in October. Prosecutors originally wanted Shasta to be allowed to testify against Duncan at his Oct. 16 triple-murder trial without having to be in the courtroom with him. Closed-circuit TV was one option they considered.
News >  Idaho

Lawyers clash over Duncan statements

Public Defender John Adams fought passionately Tuesday to keep statements Joseph Duncan made about Shasta Groene and crimes against her family from being used against the triple-murder suspect at his trial this fall. Most questions Adams asked witnesses during a hearing Tuesday focused on three issues: Was Duncan informed of his Miranda rights when he was arrested last year; was he questioned after invoking his rights; and should statements Duncan made to a chaplain and social worker have been kept in confidence.
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