Federal prosecutors as well as the defense have rested their cases in the first phase of the sentencing hearing of convicted murderer Joseph Duncan.
The prosecution Thursday showed jurors a graphic video made by Duncan as part of their case to convince a jury that Duncan deserves to be sentenced to death for the 2005 kidnapping and molestation of two north Idaho children and the killing of one of them.
Duncan was sworn in and briefly took the stand indicating that he did not have a prepared statement to make and only intended to answer any questions federal prosecutors might have. The prosecution declined to question Duncan, who is acting as his own attorney. With no other statements or witnesses being called by Duncan, the defense rested its case.
Duncan faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to ten federal charges last year – he previously pleaded guilty in state court in the kidnapping and murders of three other family members. Closing arguments are set to begin Friday morning in Boise.