Jury Selection Resumes In Duncan Case

BOISE, Idaho — Attorneys serving as standby counsel for Joseph Edward Duncan III asked a federal judge to allow them to step down from his death penalty case, saying they could not ethically proceed.

U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge turned down the request Wednesday, saying he would not allow the case to be delayed any longer.

After a delay that lasted more than three months jury selection will resume Thursday morning.

According to Federal Court Administrator Cameron Burke Jury selection started on Wednesday but finished early.  Burke says selection will continue at 9 a.m. Thursday morning and continue each day until a jury is seated.

Duncan is facing the death penalty after pleading guilty to 10 federal charges in the high profile 2005 kidnapping of two northern Idaho children and the murder of one of them.

Judge Lodge delayed jury selection in late April after Duncan sought permission to act as his own attorney.