In brief: Prosecutors want Duncan trial delayed
Federal prosecutors are asking that the trial of Joseph Duncan be postponed from March 20 until July 9.
U.S. Attorney Tom Moss said the family of 10-year-old Shasta Groene, along with school officials and her court-appointed guardian, believe a July 9 trial date is in the girl’s best interest.
Shasta is described in court documents filed Wednesday as an “essential witness” in the case against Duncan.
Duncan is facing the federal death penalty for the slaying of Shasta’s brother, 9-year-old Dylan Groene, and several other crimes against the children.
He is currently serving a life sentence in a Boise-area prison for the May 2005 kidnappings and murders of the children’s mother, brother and mother’s fiance.
According to court records, more than 40,000 pages of discovery in the case have been provided to Duncan’s attorneys, including about 8,000 pages delivered to defense attorneys Wednesday. The court papers said Duncan’s attorneys have yet to review the physical evidence in the case, which is being maintained at the FBI office in Boise.
Moss said in court papers filed Wednesday that he would oppose any delay beyond July 9.
He said that Duncan’s attorneys have had plenty of time to prepare for trial, noting that Duncan’s federal defender was appointed shortly after his arrest in July 2005 and was present for numerous hearings in the Kootenai County triple-murder case against Duncan.
– Taryn Brodwater
Man reports swindle by seller on Internet
A 30-year-old Coeur d’Alene man says he was swindled by a man he met on MySpace.com.
Joel M. Boren told Coeur d’Alene police that he wired $2,330 to a man he met through the popular networking site in exchange for a motorcycle.
Boren told police he wired the money on Feb. 1, but the bike was never delivered, according to police reports.
Coeur d’Alene police referred the investigation to the FBI because the alleged crime occurred over the Internet.
– Taryn Brodwater
Forms available for St. Pat’s parade
Applications are available now for downtown Coeur d’Alene’s 2nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The theme for the March 17 parade is “Ireland Forever.” Gay Glasson of the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association said she has already received entry forms for floats, a group of llamas and people who plan to walk dogs dressed in green sweaters, feather boas and hats.
The parade starts at 4 p.m. at Eighth Street and Sherman Avenue and runs down Sherman to First Street.
Glasson said last year’s parade was a success.
“It was great fun,” she said. “It’s just a real fun parade.”
Downtown bars and restaurants are having St. Patrick’s Day specials, she said, and it shouldn’t be too hard to find a mug of green beer.
Parade applications are available from the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association, (208) 667-5986 or by e-mail at info@cdadowntown.com.
– Taryn Brodwater