Joseph Duncan sued for wrongful death by father of slain family
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Joseph Duncan III, the man accused of killing three members of a northern Idaho family so he could molest their children, has been sued by the father of three of the victims. Steven Groene filed the wrongful death lawsuit in U.S. District Court on Wednesday, alleging that Duncan, a convicted child molester, was responsible for the deaths of 13-year-old Slade Groene, 9-year-old Dylan Groene and their mother, Brenda Groene. Steven Groene also claims that Duncan caused intentional infliction of emotional distress and battery against 8-year-old Shasta Groene. In the lawsuit, Groene asks a judge to prevent Duncan from profiting from the crimes by writing books, providing television or movie content or any other activities. He also asks for a jury trial and monetary damages in an amount to be proven in court. Duncan, 43, a Tacoma, Wash., native, faces the death penalty if he is convicted in an Idaho court on three counts of murder. He is accused of using a hammer to kill Brenda Groene; her fiance, Mark McKenzie; and Slade Groene, in May 2005 at the family’s home east of Coeur d’Alene. Prosecutors allege he killed the three so he could abduct and molest young Shasta and Dylan Groene. Shasta later escaped; Dylan’s body was found in Montana. On Wednesday, federal prosecutors said they plan to seek the death penalty once they charge Duncan in the abduction of the two children. More : seattletimes.nwsource.com |