County Sued for Mishandling Groene Case Suspect

The families of a man and woman, killed by the convicted sex offender who kidnapped Shasta and Dylan Groene, has filed a lawsuit blaming their deaths on a Minnesota county for negligently mishandling the case of Joseph E. Duncan III, who was out on $15,000 bail when he committed the crimes in Idaho.

Brenda Groene's parents and Mark McKenzie's brother filed the lawsuit seeking $500,000 in damages. The suit claims that the bail amount for Duncan was too low and the county did not sufficiently monitor Duncan's movements after he was released on bail. Duncan was charged with molesting two boys in Minnesota.

"My clients are trying to send a message that state government agencies need to be extra vigilant in these types of cases," said attorney Russell Van Camp. "He was banned from one of Becker County's parks and they had all the information on him. They still set an extremely low bail."

Duncan was released on bail in May. In April, he broke into the home of Brenda Groene and killed her, her 13-year-old son and her boyfriend. He then kidnapped Shasta, age 8, and Dylan, age 9. Duncan was captured in July when he and Shasta were spotted in a restaurant 10 miles from her home.

Dylan's body was later found at a remote campsite in Montana.

See Also:
Minn. County Accused of Mishandling Sex Offender in Groene Kidnapping Case

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Earlier Articles:
Duncan to Face Death Penalty in Idaho
Seattle Police Investigate Duncan for Two Murders
Evidence Mounts Against Joseph Edward Duncan
Report: Sex Offender Stalked Idaho Children
Remains Identified as Dylan Groene's
Idaho Children Abducted, Repeatedly Molested
Search for Dylan Turns Up 'Human Remains'
Shasta Groene Found in Idaho, Brother Presumed Dead
Still No Clues for Missing Idaho Children
Three Killed, Two Idaho Children Missing