Posted on 03/01/2006 3:11:49 PM PST by Former Military Chick
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (AP) — Family members of victims say they don’t want the state to make a deal with Joseph Duncan III that would let him avoid the death penalty, even though a trial could be difficult for lone survivor Shasta Groene.
Duncan’s public defender, John Adams, said last week a plea agreement would be easier on Shasta because she wouldn’t have to testify at trial, but could only be made if the state didn’t seek the death penalty against Duncan.
Duncan, 42, has pleaded innocent to three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree kidnapping in the slayings of three people in their Coeur d’Alene-area home in May 2005. Killed were Brenda Kay Groene, 40; her son, Slade Vincent Groene, 13; and Mark Edward McKenzie, 37.
Federal prosecutors say that when the state case is resolved, federal charges will be filed in the abduction of 9-year-old Dylan Groene and 8-year-old Shasta Groene from the house, and Dylan’s subsequent death at a western Montana campsite.
‘‘For anybody to think we’d want to plea-bargain with him, they’re totally crazy,’’ Mark Doble, husband of Brenda Groene’s younger sister, Sandra, told The Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Wash. ‘‘This guy ruined our lives. He needs to pay.’’
Of his niece, Shasta, he said: ‘‘She’s very strong. She will be able to testify. It needs to be done.’’
Adams hinted last week that a plea agreement could be possible, following a hearing in which 1st District Judge Fred Gibler postponed the trial six months at Adams’ request.
Shasta’s court advocate, and her father, Steve Groene, accompanied by his attorney, testified in closed proceedings in the judge’s chambers. Adams called Steve Groene as a defense witness during the hearing.
Afterward, Adams said a plea agreement would be easier on Shasta.
But Kootenai County Prosecutor Bill Douglas said there will be no negotiations, and family members say they back that decision.
‘‘We’re definitely not interested in any plea bargain whatsoever,’’ said Darlene Torres, Brenda Groene’s mother. ‘‘Mr. Douglas, we’re behind him all the way.’’
Steve Groene, father of Slade, Dylan and Shasta, has not said publicly whether he prefers a plea agreement or a trial.
The brother of Mark McKenzie, Steve McKenzie, said he understood the concern of Shasta being called to testify. But he said the death penalty should not be bargained away.
‘‘That was my dad’s son and my brother,’’ Steve McKenzie said. ‘‘And he was tied up and beat to death with a hammer. We don’t want to plea bargain with this guy.’’
In the long run, it will be better for Shasta to know that she helped ensure this monster got what he deserved.
Prayers that Shasta will have the strength for this. You're right, death is too easy but it's needed.
this man should be put in a large cage with a hungry Grizzly bear
I hope his punishment will be LOOOONG and extremely torturous!
Just hang Duncan.
But where is your compassion? Probably had a tough childhood. Mitigating circumstances. His daddy probably beat em. Can't we all forgive and forget?
Fry the bastard slow and long. Make it hurt a long time.
He should be put in that cage with a bear that is not yet hungry. He needs a little time for contemplation.
Any idea what kind of childhood it takes to make a monster like that? Didn't think so. Maybe putting him in prison for ever will do just fine.
Fair enough, I am just tired of these guys sitting on death row for decades and than when the time comes --- it is stopped as we have recently witnessed.
But, I say, the punishment should fit the crime ... many of these guys get off so easy as compared to the torture they instilled on their victims.
Who ever said death was to be painless.
That's funny. My father used to say we only need one prison in this country. Build it on top of a cliff. When it fills up, toss the first one in over the edge to make room for the newbie.
You're in good company!
Becki
Turkey fryer? Set to extra crispy.
His mother liked to dance with him to make him feel better ... or maybe it was to make her feel better. I try not to look at my Groene case notes very much. He is beyond the normal description of a monster.
God bless Shasta - if her family thinks she's strong enough for testifying, then, by God, let her! I'll keep praying for this precious child.
IMPORTANT UPDATE to this story (Go, Shasta!!):
~~~~~
http://www.krem.com/topstories/stories/krem2_030106_shastagroene.76b6be41.html
Shasta Groene helps investigators solve additional missing children cases
06:32 PM PST on Wednesday, March 1, 2006
The murder of two California children took place during the time Joseph Duncan was on probation.
Now, Steve Groene, the father of abduction victim Shasta Groene says his daughter may have to testify in criminal proceedings in California and an additional trial in Seattle.
KREM 2 News has learned it was nine-year-old Shasta who lead authorities to solve other missing children cases.
Steve Groene says alleged kidnapper and murderer Joseph Duncan told his daughter about the cases while he allegedly held her captive.
“Shasta basically told them right when they interviewed her when she was first found he had told her about killing a boy in California,” Groene said.
That boy was Anthony Martinez.
In 1997 the ten year old boy was abducted by knife point in front of his Beaumont home.
Authorities found his body 90 miles away from the place he was last seen. The only evidence was a partial-thumb print on a piece of duct tape. After Duncan's arrest F.B.I agents received a court order to take full hand prints of Duncan.
“If he hadn't told Shasta it would have never been link him to that and get the full hand prints,” Groene said. “He could have gotten away with that in so many ways he had for ten years.”
Shasta statements to investigators also help crack a cold case in which authorities say Duncan was living near the motel during his probation. Their skeletal remains were later found in Bothell, Washington.
Sources close to the investigation has confirmed these details with KREM 2 News.
Duncan will face charges for these crimes after the murder and kidnapping trial in Kootenai County is complete.
It doesn't matter what any experience he'd had in his life.
Let him in with the general prison population and he'll get his.
They don't take kindly to child freaks in prison.
L
The police suspect Duncan murdered others, too. Usually, they don't start with murders as horrific as this -- they work up to it with other killings.
mmmmmmmm, deep fried turkey.
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