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Just returned from an interesting story to say the least.  Ken Germana recently posted a sign on his property in Bonner County that reads “Free Public Hanging.”  The sign, accompanied by a noose, lists the names of President elect Barack Obama, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry and Al Sharpton.  Germana says the sign is not racist and is not a threat to the political figures.  If so, then why the noose? Isn’t that a threat alone?  Germana says its a simple political statement and nothing more.  Even so, the US Secret Service is investigating.  What do you think about the sign?

Ricky Barnett is supposed to turn 29 next month.  And, maybe he will but no one knows for sure if Ricky ever made it past his third birthday.  You see, Ricky disappeared 26 years ago as he was visiting his grandparents at a ranch in Grangeville, ID.  Ricky literally disappeared into thin air.  No one has seen or heard from him since. 

There is something about Ricky’s story, his precious face, his smile that has captured my heart since I first stumbled across his missing person poster a few months ago. I just couldn’t and still can’t understand how someone can go missing so long ago and still have no answers.  His case is still open, and it has been since August 31st, 1982. Why after all this time has no one come forward? Why after all this time do we not know what happened to little Ricky:? I’ve gone over these questions dozens of times in my head- it was then I knew someone had to tell his story.

A delivery of 13, 000 chickens had just arrived at the ranch the morning Ricky disappeared.  The owner of the ranch says Ricky was wandering between the barns and coops as more than 30 workers scrambled to unload the chickens.  Ricky was last seen sitting on a wagon outisde a barn- 15 minutes later he was gone. No one knows what happened in those 15 minutes.   Hundreds of neighbors searched the farm- from the pig pits to the hay stacks,l ooking for any sign of Ricky.  After four days the search was called off- no Ricky, nothing. While the official search ended, there are a few people who have never stopped looking including his mother, Judy and Detective Joan Renshaw with the Idaho County Sheriff’s Department. 

So, why keep searching? You’ll have to watch the entire story tomorrow on KXLY 4 HD News @ 6:30 PM. 

Last week I introduced you to an inspirational young woman diagnosed with brain cancer.  This summer, doctors removed a tumor the size of a plum from Jennifer Hogan’s brain.  She is one tough cookie.  She hasn’t missed a day of school since her diagnoses, even though she goes to radiation EVERY morning. Well, this past weekend friends and family raised more than $13, 000 dollars for Jennifer’s family. Way to go!  The money will be used for medical bills and travel expenses.  And, with the donations the family will have some extra money to make this Christmas extra special.  I am so proud to work in such a giving community.  If you still want to help out you can donate to a fund under Jennifer’s name at Panhandle State Bank.

Just returned from Clark Fork, ID where we covered a story about a young man who died yesterday in a terrible car crash.  18-year old Tyler Pesce died yesterday, when his friend, 20-year old Zachary Palmer lost control of his car.  Investigators say alcohol was involved and Palmer had been speeding. Withing minutes of arriving in Clark Fork we found several people who knew Tyler and were anxious to talk about him.  It’s never easy to cover a story like this- I am so appreciative of those neighbors willing to share his story.  Tyler was just finishing up high school. From what I’m told, he loved to play the guitar and basketball. And, he loved to make people laugh.  It’s so sad to see someone’s life cut so short.  What’s even more devastating is another life and family is deeply impacted as well.  Zachary Palmer now faces a felony (vehicular manslaughter) for killing Tyler.  He made his first court appearance this afternoon, his bond is set at 50-thousand dollars. My heart goes out to theClark Fork community and all the family and friends affected by this crash.

We will soon find out if Joseph Duncan will be executed or spend the rest of his life behind bars.  It’s a decision so many people have been waiting for.  Today, both sides in the sentencing trial rested.  Duncan did not make any arguments or call any witnesses, which is no surprise given his track record during the hearing.  Duncan did however make an expression he very rarely makes during the trial: he smiled and raised his eyebrows.  He made this expression while his ex-girlfriend walked into the courtroom-it was almost as though he was excited to see her and was trying to get her look over at him- she didn’t. 

 Perhaps the most emotional part of the day was when Dylan’s grandma, aunt, dad, and third grade teacher took the stand.  The testimony gave jurors and myself a much better picture of who Dylan was before he died.  Dylan was not just Duncan’s vicitm, he was a boy who loved monster trucks, matchbox cars and Shasta.  Steve Groene told jurors Dylan was Shasta’s gaurdian angel.  Tim Marks, Dylan’s third grade teacher told jurors about Dylan’s stash of cheap cologne in his desk at school-just about everyone laughed for the first time since this began-it was refreshing.

Tomorrow morning jurors will be given their instructions and then they head into deliberations.  We don’t know how long it will take for the 12 member panel to decide.  It could take 2 hours or 2 days, we just don’t know.  Tim and I, along with the other media representatives will most likely be camped out in the media room until a decision is reached.

This morning the moment we have all been dreading became a very vivid reality: federal prosecutors played the horrific video tapes of Joseph Duncan molesting and torturing young Dylan Groene. From the beginning I have said I want nothing to do with that video, I simply don’t want to see it. Today, as the moment got closer I questioned myself and thought “ok, maybe I can do, just maybe.” But, when Judge Edward Lodge made an announcement, warning anyone who can’t control their emotions, to not return to the court room-my decision was easy-I’m not going back. Tim Martin, a photographer and blogger extrodinaire volunteered to go in for me,- not because he wanted to see the videos but because we needed to know how Duncan and the jurors reacted. I am so thankful for his sacrifice. The past seven days have been tough- already I am replaying certain phrases and images in my mind, I don’t need to add the video to that list. Even though I know deep in my gut I made the right decision, it was still a little awkward to be one of two reporters NOT in the courtroom. I am also thankful for the supportive team of colleagues back in Spokane. Melissa Luck didn’t question my decision once. Thank you for understanding.

When US District Attorney Tom Moss gave his opening statements last week for the Duncan federal sentencing hearing he made it very clear this case is about Dylan Groene. While I have not lost sight of that focus, I admit it’s easy to get wrapped up in how Ducan reacts in court, what odd questions he asks witnesses, how jurors react, ect.  Today, it became so clear why we must remember and continue to remember why we are here.  Today, Jurors were showed pictures of Dylan’s remains and a section of his skull camp found at campsite #1.  All that is left of Dylan’s body are 1, 752 tiny bone fragments.  It’s hard to comprehend.  We have always known, for the most part, the horrific manner in which Dylan died- but it makes such a deeper mpact when you actually see all those tiny pieces- pieces that were once a living, breathing young boy. 

Week two of the Joseph Ducan federal sentencing trial is now underway.  Today, we learned in depth the various spots Duncan stopped while traveling through WY, MT, MO and WA.  One of those spots was Barbara Hampton’s home near Lovell, WY.  Duncan marked her home on a GPS system he was carrying around, and later recovered by the FBI.  Her home,along with several others all had one thing in common: playground equipment in the yard.  I don’t think the pattern in coincidental. In fact, it appears Duncan was on the prowl for his next vicitm.  Barbara took the stand today to verify that her house was in fact a “mark” on Duncan’s GPS system.  Can you imagine thinking you could have been his victim? Knowing what he is capable of and then finding out he was scoping out your place? It’s a terrifying thought.  Even so, today’s testimony was a break from the gory details we were consumed with last week.  I am thankful for the break. 

During day three of Joseph Duncan’s sentencing trial jurors were shown three videos Duncan took of Shasta and Dylan at their remote campsite in Montana.  The videos were heartbreaking to watch because of what we know happened to Dylan and Shasta during that period of time.  It was haunting to watch Dylan eat watermelon, knowing he is now gone.  Steve Groene walked out of the courtroom as several photos on Dylan and Shasta were shown to the jury- I don’t blame him.  Can you imagine having to see a video/pictures of your son who is now dead?  Every day it seems like this trial gets more difficult to stomach.  That may sound dramatic, but it’s the truth.  You think you’ve heard and seen the worst of it, then bam, federal prosecutors show you something that is even more chilling to watch.  I know it’s only going to get worse.  Prosecutors still plan to show several sexually explicit videos of Dylan and Duncan.  The past few days have been tough, but I find strength knowing so many people are relying on me to tell them what is going on in the courtroom. Court will resume Monday morning.

It was another rough day in the courtroom.  We heard a conversation between Shasta and a Coeur d’ Alene Police officer recorded just moments after she was found at Denny’s.  And, we read letters Dylan and Shasta wrote to their dad and each other while being held captive.  The saddest part about these letters? Dylan was so hopeful he would be able to go home.  Reading through the letters it sounds like Duncan kept telling Dylan he would take him home.  Can you imagine?

 I was also amazed today about how much Joseph Duncan was concerned for the two family dogs inside the Groene/Mckenzie home.  I love dogs, don’t get me wrong, but it appears Duncan was more worried about not injuring the dogs than he was a human life.  How can that be? Sgt. Brad Maskell with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department says Duncan loaded his shotgun with a bird  shell, so it would only injure (spray beebees) the dogs and not seriously hurt them.  Yet, he makes sure to have a different kind of shell for Mark Mckenzie.  I just don’t get it. 

Duncan made a few statements in court as well.  He cross examined an FBI agent and the manager at Denny’s. He asked the Denny’s manager about how the restaurant typically serves its milkshakes.  And, asked the FBI agent if he noticed the police car in the surviellence video of Duncan and Shasta at a Conoco station in Kellogg.  The conversations were brief.

 Here are a few tidbits from today that I didn’t get to share in my story:

-It took six days for ISP to process the Wolf Lodge home where Brenda and Slade Groene and Mark Mckenzie were murdered.

-Sgt. Brad Maskell has investigated more than 400 death scenes in the past decade.

-When Duncan went into the Groene home the family pit bull ran out the door like a “bullet.” No one has ever seen the dog since.

Hearing resumes tomorrow at 9 AM.