West
Idaho woman recalls escaping serial killer Joseph Duncan in doc: ‘How long am I going to be alive?’
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Shasta Groene can vividly recall the second she was rescued after surviving seven weeks of captivity and sexual assault.
It was 2005 and Groene, then 8, was acknowledged by prospects and staff at a Denny’s restaurant in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, after arriving with Joseph Edward Duncan, a registered intercourse offender from Fargo, North Dakota. The 42-year-old spent a lot of his life in jail and at one level, advised a therapist that he estimated he had raped 13 youthful boys by the point he was 16.
“The day earlier than, he was telling me that he needed to take me to North Dakota and meet his mother and household,” Groene, now 25, advised Fox Information Digital. “At that time, I used to be making an attempt to earn his belief and make him imagine that I didn’t need to depart his aspect. I might inform him that I needed to indicate him all of the locations I grew up in, the place I went to high school as a result of I cherished college, the place I used to hang around, principally present him my life as a result of I had no household. That made him really feel good as a result of he felt that I trusted him. He felt that he was studying about my life and attending to know a susceptible a part of me. I used to be simply making an attempt to control him.”
Shasta Groene was simply eight years outdated when a person murdered her household after which kidnapped her.
(ID)
“He requested if I used to be hungry and advised him not likely,” she continued. “However he stated, ‘Come on, we will go to Denny’s and get a milkshake or one thing.’ I stated OK. So we pulled in. I seemed up and noticed this man. He checked out me, and I nodded my head. He nodded again. And I can inform from his eyes that he knew who I used to be. I used to be making an attempt to inform him by means of my eyes, that it was me. This man, Nick Chapman, went to the waitress.
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Shasta Groene, who continues to be therapeutic from her household tragedy, is coming ahead along with her story.
(ID)
“She seemed over at my desk. She then came visiting to me and was making an attempt to speak to me, giving me a coloring e book and holding me busy. Abruptly, she introduced the milkshakes out and stated she was going to get me somewhat paper crown. She ran again, and that’s after I noticed the police. The officer walked up behind her towards our desk. He requested me who I used to be. I advised him that my identify was Katie. Joseph Duncan advised me, ‘It’s OK, you possibly can inform him.’ That’s after I stated, ‘My identify is Shasta.’ The cop then grabbed Joseph Duncan and handcuffed him instantly.”
The story of Duncan and his horrifying crimes are the topic of the two-hour, Season 6 premiere of “Folks Journal Investigates” airing Monday night time on Investigation Discovery (ID). The true-crime sequence explores a number of the most surprising instances throughout the nation and the way they had been solved. It options interviews with survivors, family members of victims, investigators and different specialists intently related to the tales being advised.
The tragic case of Shasta Groene is the topic of ‘Folks Journal Investigates’.
(ID)
Groene witnessed the night time that Duncan sneaked into her household’s house in Wolf Lodge, Idaho, and murdered her mom, stepfather and certainly one of her brothers. She and her different brother had been kidnaped by Duncan. Her sibling was later killed. Groene has tried to remain out of the highlight for 17 years however was compelled to return ahead for the particular.
“For a very long time, I wasn’t in a spot the place I felt assured sufficient to talk out,” she defined. “I wasn’t prepared. However by the point we started filming, I used to be in a extremely good head area. Joseph Duncan had handed away, and it virtually felt like a brand new begin for me. I felt like I instantly wakened and stated, ‘I need to assist others with my story.’”
Groene described rising up inside a close-knit household that bonded over the outside. Gatherings consisted of barbecues, looking and fishing.
Brenda Groene, Shasta Groene’s mom.
(ID)
“I had my brothers with me on a regular basis,” she mirrored. “And that’s precisely how I needed it to be. I at all times needed to be with them. I used to be the youngest and the one lady. I used to be the little sister my brothers protected. And my mother made positive that the household was at all times collectively.”
Duncan’s most violent string of crimes occurred in Could 2005, when he was driving throughout the Idaho Panhandle on Interstate 90 and noticed two kids enjoying of their swimsuits within the yard of a house subsequent to the freeway. He pulled off the highway and began surveillance of the house.
Utilizing night-vision goggles, he broke in and tied up Brenda Groene, 40; her boyfriend, Mark McKenzie, 37; and her son, Slade Groene, 13. Then he beat them to demise with a hammer. Two of Brenda’s different kids, 9-year-old Dylan and Shasta, had been lacking when authorities obtained to the home.
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Mark McKenzie, Shasta Groene’s stepfather.
(ID)
Duncan had taken the youngsters into the wilds of western Montana, the place he tortured and abused them for weeks earlier than killing Dylan.
“I actually do not know what gave me power or hope,” Groene admitted. “However there was one thing inside me that was pushing me to say or do sure issues to be on Joseph Duncan’s good aspect and earn his belief. I imagine that was my mother’s spirit guiding me. She needed me to get out secure and alive. I felt like I used to be getting assist from her spiritually. However there have been occasions after I actually thought, ‘How lengthy am I going to be alive?’”
Brenda Groene’s Wolf Lodge house.
(ID)
Groene stated that following her rescue, she struggled to place the items of her life again collectively. She described lacking a complete yr of college as a result of her father didn’t suppose it was secure. Cameras would flock to her house as they tried to get each element of her harrowing journey. Rumors and hypothesis surrounding the Groene household intensified, leaving the little lady helpless in making an attempt to guard her household’s reminiscence. The appointments with counselors had been fixed, together with the numerous conferences involving attorneys and investigators.
Slade Groene, Shasta Groene’s teenage brother.
(ID)
“It felt bizarre being in a home with my dad and his girlfriend with none of my brothers,” she stated. “I used to be simply so alone. He was a truck driver, so it was very seldom that we noticed him. However that’s how he paid the payments. I additionally turned actually delicate about my weight and the issues that I ate. I believe it was a solution to punish myself. I developed an consuming dysfunction at a really younger age. If I ate, I made myself throw up. I then began self-harming. I used to be hiding so much from my dad. After which he obtained throat most cancers. He virtually died from it. A lot has occurred that I by no means totally obtained to heal.”
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There was additionally the survivor’s guilt.
“I had promised my brother [Dylan] that I might guarantee that we obtained out alive,” stated Groene. “I carried a lot guilt as a result of he didn’t dwell, and I did. I felt prefer it ought to have been the opposite means round. I dealt with all of that in very unhealthy methods. I began consuming at age 13, smoking marijuana and hanging out with older folks. I used to be making an attempt to numb every little thing. And there was a chance that my dad may die. I didn’t know what to do.”
Dylan Groene, Shasta Groene’s brother.
(ID)
As we speak, Groene is a mom to 4 sons underneath the age of six. She has a fifth due in August. Her life consists of play dates, strolling her canine at a neighborhood park and dealing as a supervising housekeeper at a close-by resort. She described her life as “a wholesome chaotic” as she continues in her restoration from the trauma. However, “I’ve obtained all my youngsters and I get to get up each day and be a mother or father,” she added.
Following Duncan’s conviction, he was extradited to Southern California to be tried for the demise of 10-year-old Anthony Martinez of Riverside County in 1997. Duncan was linked by DNA to the killing. He pleaded responsible and acquired a sentence of life in jail. In 2021, Duncan died of mind most cancers whereas serving a number of life sentences on federal demise row. He was 58.
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“After I obtained the decision, I simply cried and held my child,” she stated. “I considered my mother, my household. However after that first week, I felt, ‘OK, now we will begin to dwell our lives with out feeling like we’re being held down by one thing or any individual.’”
In accordance with courtroom data, Joseph Edward Duncan underwent mind surgical procedure and was recognized with glioblastoma, stage 4 mind most cancers. He declined chemotherapy and radiation.
(Photograph by Jeff T. Inexperienced/Getty Pictures)
Groene hopes that in sharing her story, others who’ve suffered from trauma will probably be empowered to by no means hand over as they rebuild their lives.
“There have been so many occasions in my life the place I gave up on sure issues,” she stated. “Wanting again on them at the moment, I want I by no means did. I’d most likely be so much additional in my life than I’m now, regardless that I’m far… However I didn’t know tips on how to heal. I didn’t know tips on how to grieve. I do suppose it’s essential to start out the grieving and therapeutic course of. In any other case, you’ll simply hold dwelling your life, not realizing that there are elements of you which can be falling behind. It’s OK to wrestle in your life, however it’s the resiliency that issues.”
“Folks Journal Investigates” airs at 9 p.m. ET on ID and streaming on discovery+ . The Related Press contributed to this report.
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What’s New
The Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday affirmed a landmark climate decision that declared the state was violating residents’ constitutional right to a clean environment by allowing oil, gas and coal projects without regard for global warming.
Why It Matters
The decision reinforces an August 2023 ruling by District Court Judge Kathy Seeley, who found that Montana’s practices violated its residents’ constitutional right to a “clean and healthful environment.”
This pivotal case, spearheaded by a group of young plaintiffs aged 6 to 23, represented a milestone for climate advocates seeking judicial intervention to compel governmental action on climate change.
What To Know
On Wednesday in a 6-1 ruling, the Montana Supreme Court upheld the August 2023 decision.
The court’s decision strikes down a state policy that prohibited the consideration of greenhouse gas emissions in granting permits for fossil fuel development.
The state had previously appealed the ruling by Seeley, and arguments were heard in July, in which the state argued that greenhouse gases released from Montana fossil fuel projects are minuscule on a global scale and reducing them would have no effect on climate change.
Thom Bridge/Independent Record/ AP
Chief Justice Mike McGrath dismissed the state’s argument that Montana’s emissions are insignificant on a global scale, likening the defense to an “everyone else is doing it” excuse.
McGrath wrote, “The right to a clean and healthful environment is meaningless if the State abdicates its responsibility to protect it.”
What Are People Saying
Melissa Hornbein, an attorney with the Western Environmental Law Center and attorney for the plaintiffs said, “With the ruling now in place, the Montana Supreme Court’s decision compels the state to carefully assess the greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts of all future fossil fuel permits.”
Chief Justice Mike McGrath wrote for the majority: “Plaintiffs may enforce their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment against the State, which owes them that affirmative duty, without requiring everyone else to stop jumping off bridges or adding fuel to the fire. Otherwise the right to a clean and healthful environment is meaningless.”
Republican Governor Greg Gianforte said in a statement that the state was still reviewing the decision, but said it will lead to “perpetual lawsuits that will waste taxpayer dollars and drive up energy bills for hardworking Montanans.
Pushback From State Leadership
The ruling has sparked a backlash from Gianforte, who criticized the court for what he described as judicial overreach. He warned the decision could invite an onslaught of lawsuits, increase energy costs for Montanans and hinder the state’s “all-of-the-above” energy strategy.
“This Court continues to step outside of its lane to tread on the right of the Legislature, the elected representatives of the people, to make policy,” he said in a statement. “This decision does nothing more than declare open season on Montana’s all-of-the-above approach to energy, which is key to providing affordable and reliable energy to homes, schools, and businesses across our state.”
Gianforte also convened energy stakeholders earlier this week to discuss boosting production to meet rising demand, emphasizing the need for “unleashing American energy” to maintain grid stability.
The Plaintiffs’ Perspective
For the 16 young plaintiffs, the court’s decision validates their personal struggles with the tangible effects of climate change. In a Wednesday statement, lead plaintiff Rikki Held called the ruling “a victory not just for us, but for every young person whose future is threatened by climate change.”
During the trial, the plaintiffs described how worsening wildfires, droughts and diminishing snowpack have disrupted their lives, polluted the air and depleted vital natural resources. They argued that the state’s failure to address these challenges imperils their future and violates their constitutional rights.
What Happens Next
The ruling has positioned Montana as a flashpoint in the national debate over climate accountability, potentially inspiring similar legal challenges across the United States.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
Nevada Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro announced a sweeping education bill she will push in the upcoming Legislative Session, with proposals ranging from retaining previous teacher raises and creating universal pre-K programs to improving accountability measures for public and private schools.
The Education through Accountability, Transparency, and Efficiency (EDUCATE) Act aims to help facilitate a “broad-based conversation about accountability in the education system,” according to a statement from Cannizzaro, D-Las Vegas, on Wednesday.
“The EDUCATE Act is the result of a commitment I made a year ago to bring forward a package of education reforms that would improve outcomes for students, help us hire and retain great teachers and staff, and give parents more confidence in our educational system,” Cannizzaro’s statement said.
Her bill would retain the nearly 20 percent raises for staff passed as part of the 2023 education budget.
Cannizzaro wants to expand alternative routes to licensure and Paraprofessional Pathways Project programs to address teacher shortages. Her bill would also establish a Nevada Commission on Educator Recruitment and Retention that will replace the Nevada Department of Education’s advisory task force to identify strategies to address educator workforce pipelines.
The bill also contains provisions to expand accountability for schools. If passed, it would create a School District Oversight Board, a joint legislative and executive branch group that would oversee school districts and take action if they fail to meet certain obligations.
It would also require the State Board of Education to develop academic achievement plans for elementary schools that includes three-year goals and plans aimed at advancing student achievement.
The EDUCATE Act also create universal pre-K for all 4-year-olds.
Regarding opportunity scholarships, a source of tension between state Democrats and Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, Cannizzaro’s bill would require all private schools receiving public funds to meet the same subject assessment requirements as public schools. It would create a mandate for schools to collect and report demographic and enrollment information of Opportunity Scholarship recipients.
“We all agree that our kids deserve the best possible educational opportunities, and I look forward to a robust conversation during the legislation session about making publicly funded schools more transparent and accountable to deliver for students, parents, and our community,” Cannizzaro said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Jessica Hill at jehill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @jess_hillyeah on X.
New Mexico
New Mexico Transfer Running Back Eli Sanders Commits to USC Trojans Over Arkansas, Michigan State
The USC Trojans have landed a commitment from former New Mexico running back Eli Sanders over Arkansas, Michigan State, Virginia Tech and Arizona after he spent the last couple of days on campus. Sanders is the second player to commit to the Trojans, joining former San Jose State cornerback DJ Harvey since the transfer portal opened on Dec. 9. He was the No. 17 running back in the 247Sports Transfer Portal Rankings and will have one season of eligibility remaining.
Sanders signed with Iowa State as a three-star prospect coming out of Chandler (AZ) High School in the 2021 recruiting cycle. He spent three seasons with the Cyclones, rushing for 703 yards and four touchdowns and added 15 receptions for 135 yards and one touchdown before he transferred to New Mexico in 2024. This season he rushed for 1,063 yards and nine touchdowns and caught 15 passes for 134 yards with the Lobos. Sanders announced on Dec. 6 that he would be entering the portal.
“Coach Lincoln Riley, coach Anthony Jones Jr. and the entire staff just made the whole experience at USC awesome,” Sanders told 247Sports. “It was a family oriented atmosphere there. It’s going to be close to home for me, too, just about an hour and half away from family in Oceanside. The offense is a great fit for me; I feel very comfortable running counter, going either inside or outside zone. It’s perfectly fitted for my skillset.”
Running back was a big area of need with Woody Marks headed off to the NFL following a stellar senior season. Marks carried the ball 198 times for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns. He became the first Trojans players to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark since Ronald Jones in 2017 and earned Second-Team Big-Ten honors. Marks was a consistent threat out of the backfield, and he played with a toughness and passion that resonated with the entire team.
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Redshirt freshman Quinten Joyner entered the portal when it opened on Dec. 9. Joyner carried the ball 63 times for 478 yards and three touchdowns this season. He averaged 7.6 yards per carry. The former four-star prospect in 2023 recruiting cycle possessed elite speed and had the ability to break a long run at moment. Joyner was an excellent complimentary back for Marks and stepped up throughout the season whenever his number was called. Ohio State has emerged as the favorite to land the former Trojans running back after a visit to Columbus last weekend.
“USC had two phenomenal backs last season and seeing their production, seeing how they were able to run the football, it’s definitely got me excited about my fit in the scheme,” Sanders told 247Sports. “It was definitely a dream school of mine growing up, going to games at the Coliseum and once I got the opportunity in the portal I knew I wanted to play for USC.”
Coach Lincoln Riley has looked to the portal to find his lead running back every season he has been at USC. In 2022, he signed Travis Dye from Oregon and Ausin Jones from Stanford. In 2023, it was MarShawn Lloyd from South Carolina and then Marks from Mississippi State this season. And now it will be Sanders in 2025.
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