A psychiatric evaluation of convicted child killer Joseph Edward Duncan III has been completed, and a federal judge could decide soon if Duncan will be allowed to represent himself in his death penalty hearing.
A jury is expected to decide this summer if Duncan should be imprisoned for life or executed for the kidnapping, abuse and slaying of young Dylan Groene in 2005. Duncan already has pleaded guilty to the crimes against Dylan and the kidnapping and abuse of his sister, Shasta Groene.
Duncan has asked U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge if he can represent himself in the sentencing hearing. Lodge said he was inclined to grant Duncan’s request but first wanted to make sure the defendant was mentally competent to make the weighty decision. The evaluation was filed Thursday, and Lodge said he would keep it under seal.
The Associated Press
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