Joseph Duncan

U.S. Attorney Wendy Olson to 9th Circuit: Duncan made it clear he didn't want to appeal death sentence

BOISE – A federal judge has cleared the way for serial killer Joseph Duncan’s execution for the 2005 kidnapping, torture and murder of a 9-year-old North Idaho boy, ruling that Duncan was mentally competent when he gave up the right to appeal his death sentence. There still could be further appeals, but U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge’s ruling Friday is a key step toward execution for Duncan, who’s been sentenced to death three times over and has been linked to the murder of children and adults. Lodge wrote in his 66-page ruling that he’s “presided over numerous competency hearings in my 50 years on the bench. While these decisions many times are difficult and hard to make because of the consequences that follow, the Court is firmly convinced that the conclusions stated in this order are correct.”

Lodge rules Duncan was competent, his death sentence appeal was waived

A federal judge has cleared the way for Joseph Duncan’s execution for the 2005 kidnapping, torture and murder of a 9-year-old North Idaho boy, ruling that Duncan was mentally competent when he gave up the right to appeal his death sentence.

Duncan's Fate Rests In Idaho Court

Duncan on federal Death Row, but fate still rests in an Idaho courtroom

Judge Lodge: No closed courtroom for Duncan hearing testimony

BOISE — The former attorneys for convicted murderer Joseph Duncan are asking a judge to let them testify in secret about whether Duncan was mentally competent during his death penalty hearing four years ago.

Psychologist: Duncan paranoid, but competent

BOISE – A forensic psychologist who examined convicted murderer Joseph Duncan four years ago said Duncan scored high on a test measuring paranoia, but was still legally competent to serve as his own attorney when he waived his right to appeal his death sentence. Dr. Robert Engle testified Wednesday as part of a retrospective competency hearing ordered by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The hearing is intended to determine whether Duncan was mentally competent when he waived his right to appeal his death sentence for the kidnapping and torture of two North Idaho children and the murder of one of them.

Court hearing: Duncan targeted Spokane boy before settling on his Idaho victims

Before Joseph Duncan murdered a 9-year-old North Idaho boy in 2005, he set his sights on a Spokane child, posing as a prospective renter and touring a Spokane duplex with the boy’s mother while ogling the child.

Duncan back in Idaho court, Legislature off and running for session...