McKenzie files suit to block Duncan profit
The brother of murder victim Mark McKenzie is suing to prevent confessed killer Joseph Edward Duncan from making money off his crimes.
Steve McKenzie filed the suit on behalf of his brother and his brother’s fiancee, Brenda Matthews Groene, whom Duncan bludgeoned with a hammer in May 2005.
McKenzie originally filed the suit in federal court but re-filed it in Kootenai County this week because the crimes happened here.
Steve Groene filed a similar suit this month on behalf of his and Brenda Matthews Groene’s son Slade, whom Duncan also killed. The Groenes’ youngest children – Dylan and Shasta – were kidnapped, and Dylan was later killed. Duncan is expected to be charged for those crimes in federal court. Both suits seek to prevent Duncan from profiting through any books or movie deals.
Duncan is serving a life sentence for kidnapping charges, related to binding his victims before killing them. He could face the federal death penalty for the alleged crimes against Dylan and Shasta. If he isn’t sentenced to die for those crimes, he will be returned to Kootenai County to face the death penalty for the three murders in 2005 at Wolf Lodge, east of Coeur d’Alene.
– Taryn Brodwater
Post Falls
Police seek SUV linked to drive-by shooting
Post Falls police are looking for a champagne-colored sport utility vehicle whose occupants may have been involved in a drive-by shooting on Thursday.
Three to five bullets were fired at a home at 1905 E. Meadow Way, and two bullets pierced the garage door, according to Post Falls police.
Three people were inside the home at the time of the shooting that afternoon but didn’t call police. A passer-by who witnessed the crime dialed 911.
When police arrived at the home, nobody answered the door, Lt. Greg McLean said. Officers found an open window and yelled inside in an attempt to make sure no one was injured, McLean said.
Two men in their late 20s were caught trying to run through the front door, police said.
Police went inside and found 20-year-old Emily Vigne allegedly hiding in the home’s crawlspace. She was arrested on an outstanding warrant from Spokane County for theft and drug charges.
Anyone with information on the drive-by shooting is asked to call Post Falls police at (208) 773-3517.
– Taryn Brodwater
Sandpoint
Sandpoint employee to lead state program
A Sandpoint High School employee has been tapped to lead a new program offered by the state Board of Education.
Steve Abels will leave his position as director of Sandpoint High School’s professional-technical education program and move to Boise to serve as director of Gear Up Idaho, a program designed to encourage low-income students to go to college.
The State Board of Education received a six-year, $18 million federal grant to fund the program. Half the money will go to scholarships and half will fund counseling centers and additional career counselors around the state.
Abels will start his new job Nov. 13.
– Meghann M. Cuniff