BOISE, Idaho – At least 10 experts on topics including DNA and the chemistry of duct tape will be called to testify in the federal trial of Joseph Edward Duncan III.
Federal prosecutors gave the court and Duncan’s attorneys formal notice of the FBI expert witnesses this week.
Duncan, a Tacoma native, has already pleaded guilty in Idaho state court to the kidnappings and murders of Brenda Groene; her fiance, Mark McKenzie; and her 13-year-old son, Slade Groene.
The three were bludgeoned to death with a hammer during a May 16, 2005, attack at the Groene family home near Coeur d’Alene. A state judge sentenced Duncan to life in prison without parole for the kidnappings, but sentencing on the murder counts was deferred while the federal government prepared its charges against Duncan.
In federal court, Duncan is charged with 10 felonies, including the sexual assaults and kidnappings of the family’s youngest children, Shasta and Dylan Groene, and Dylan Groene’s slaying. Federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Prosecutors say 9-year-old Dylan was killed at a remote Montana campsite while his then-8-year-old sister Shasta watched. Shasta was rescued July 2, 2005, at a Coeur d’Alene restaurant where Duncan was arrested.
The federal trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 22, 2008, and most of the court documents filed in the case have been sealed. But two documents filed by prosecutors recently offer hints of the evidence that may be presented.
Two experts from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology – forensic anthropologist Maj. Laura Regan and forensic odontologist Dr. Brion Smith – will testify for the prosecution, U.S. Attorney Tom Moss said in court documents.
Regan will testify regarding her examination of Dylan Groene’s remains and Smith will testify about his examination of the boy’s dental remains, according to the court notice.
Eight experts with the FBI will also testify. Forensic chemist Maureen Bradley will discuss her examination of various pieces and rolls of duct tape found at the Groene home. Karen Korsberg, an expert in the examination of hair and fiber, will also testify about the duct tape.
Forensic DNA examiner Kristina Losquadro will tell the court about her DNA analysis of samples from Duncan and Shasta and Dylan Groene, and she will compare those DNA samples to samples taken from “various items of evidence yielding DNA,” according to the court notice.
Some bottles filled with unidentified liquids will be the subject of testimony from two more experts. Retired FBI chemist Charles Quenzer will testify about his analysis and identification of a liquid found in two plastic bottles at one of the crime scenes where Duncan allegedly held the children, and forensic chemist Eileen Waninger will testify about a different liquid substance in small bottles found in the Jeep that Duncan was driving at the time of his arrest.
Forensic metallurgist Michael A. Smith will testify at the trial about his analysis of several metal “objects and fragments” recovered from one of the places where Duncan is accused of holding the Groene children. John Webb, an expert with the FBI’s firearms-toolmarks unit, will testify about his examination of a sawed-off shotgun found in the Jeep.
Finally, Joy Marie Younce is expected to be called by prosecutors to testify about prints found on the sawed-off shotgun.
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