Lawyers for Joseph Edward Duncan III, accused of killing three people in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho home and abducting Shasta and Dylan Groene, dropped their demand for copies of videotapes found in Duncan's Jeep after prosecutors said they would not introduce the tapes at trial.

The tapes were found in a search of Duncan's vehicle after he was arrested at a restaurant with eight-year-old Shasta Groene. The tapes reportedly showed Duncan molesting Shasta and her nine-year-old brother, Dylan, who was later killed at a remote campsite in Montana.

Kootenai County Prosecutor Bill Douglas originally refused to make copies of the tapes for the defense, but a judge ruled last week the prosecution had to turn over copies to Duncan's public defender. Douglas asked for a hearing for the judge to reconsider, then reached a deal with the defense not to release the tapes.

"We worked out an agreement that if the defense wants an expert to look at the videos, we'll accommodate that by taking it to them," Assistant Prosecutor Lansing Haynes said.

State Case Not Damaged

The agreement to not use the tapes in Duncan's state trial will probably not damage the prosecution's case against him, because he is not being charged with any crimes related to Shasta and Dylan in state court. He will be charged in federal court for those crimes.

In January, Duncan is will face trial for the murders of Shasta and Dylan's mother, Brenda Groene; their 13-year-old brother Slade and their mother's boyfriend, Mark McKenzie.

See Also:
Idaho Lawyers Reach Deal in Murder Case
Deal Reached in Duncan Tape Controversy

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Earlier Articles:
Duncan Photographed Himself With Shasta, Dylan Groene
County Sued for Mishandling Groene Case Suspect
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