Like many of you following the Joseph Duncan trial, I feel appalled by what we've heard in testimony and from Duncan himself.

Three years ago when Shasta and Dylan first went missing, I interviewed the children's grandmother. She was a very soft spoken woman, who was in shock over what happened. And quite honestly, during the interview, I didn't know what to ask her...or how to ask it. What do you say in a situation like that?

We spent most of our time talking about the differences between the two children, who liked school, and who didn't. What they wanted to do when they were older...and if the family was holding up under all this pressure.

Of course, I was caught up in the whole media storm over the story...covering it for radio in Spokane, appearing on CNN, "Nancy Grace," and filing radio reports. I didn't really have time to think about how or what I felt. I was too busy trying to cover the story...and everyone from all over the country seemed to be fascinated and disgusted by what had happened in this tiny area of North Idaho.

Fast forward to August of 2008, and after reading SR reporter Betsy Russell's account of what those two children went through...I feel like I've been kicked in the stomach. Everything I didn't feel three years ago...I'm feeling now. And I know I'm not alone.

Now that the first phase of the trial is over, I'm starting to really get the chance to look at how we covered this story in recent weeks...on radio, in print and on line.

I honestly don't think we sensationalized the coverage (and believe me, if I thought we had, I would tell you right here)...after listening to what's come out of the courtroom, that just isn't possible. Many people think when a story like this breaks it's a way for newspapers to gain readers. Editor Steve Smith says it's just the opposite... we'll probably lose subscribers.

Since my background isn't print, I've been able to compare and contrast the two reporting styles. It's been horrific reading about what jurors heard or saw on any given day in the courtroom. But to me, it's been more difficult having to turn the written word into the spoken word...and report what's happened on the radio. I'm actually hearing it, in my own voice. And that, to me, makes it even more real.

When reporter Betsy Russell talks with us on the radio, I hear the story in a different way than I do when I read her articles. In fact, on several occasions, I've told her not to worry about coming on...covering something like this day after day gets to you...I don't care who you are, or how long you've been in the business.

There's been a lot of talk about how the media...and the Spokesman Review, has covered this story. Some feel we might have gone too far. Others say the insight from our reporters was needed. To tell you the truth....I don't know. I'm an employee of this paper, so I know my (our) job is to report the story, and I think Betsy Russell and Meghann Cuniff have done a damn fine job.

But I'm also a subscriber (yes, I buy the paper just like you),and I'm looking forward to the day when Duncan doesn't have to be front page news anymore. And judging from the jury's decision last week, that day may be in the not too distant future.

What do you think?

dan mitchinson

I hope Joseph Duncan gets life in prison, without the possibility of parole, only because I think dying would be too easy for someone so heinous as he is. He deserves to suffer at the hands of other inmates, for the rest of his life.

I normally favor the death penalty. In this case, however, I think that to see appeal after appeal being presented to spare this monster's life would be incredibly traumatic for the victim and family to have to re-live the horror of the crimes (which they no-doubt will regardless)only to see justice denied over and over with each stay of execution. This would only add to the injustice that these people have had to suffer.

I definately feel like the Spokesman coverage has been more sensitive, then other news outlets in town.

While Betsy did not describe the "video" that was shown in the first phase of the trial... another media outlet (Who decided to steal the idea that The Spokesman came up with to cover it) described quite a bit of what happened in the video.

While they did not quite have gruesome details, they still went further than they should have, and definately further than The Spokesman did.

I commend Betsy for her bravery, professionalism, and downright gravitas in the way she is covering this trial... and I commend The Spokesman Review for allowing her to do so in the way she has.

Will-

Thanks for comments. Betsy has done a great job covering a tough story.

She'll be checking in a couple of times a day with updates for the radio...you can also read her blog at Spokesmanreview.com

-dan mitchinson

I too favor the death penalty. But in this case I would opt for life and then have this monster put in general population where the inmates would kill him in less than a week.

These kids would have justice quickly. With a death penalty, he is more likley to die of natural causes because of the long appeals process.

I HAVE A GREAT STORY IDEA FOR YOU. WHY DO KHQ AND KXLY CLAIM THEY BROADCAST IN H.D. WHEN THEY DON'T? KXLY HAS AN H.D. SWITCER. KHQ DOESN'T. CHANNEL SIX REPORTEDLY STRETCHES IT'S STANDARD DEF PICTURE. KXLY DOESN'T HAVE H.D. CAMERAS. KHQ DOES. WHY DON'T YOU COVER THAT STORY? I THINK ITS AN OUTRAGE. TWO OF OUR THREE LOCAL AFFILIATES ARE LYING TO US. YOUR EXCELLENT TEAM OF REPORTERS NEEDS TO FIGHT FOR INFORMATION. I KNOW IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT BECAUSE KHQ IS ALSO PART OF THE COWLES EMPIRE...BUT PLEASE THINK OF US. KEEP THEM HONEST

I have been loosely following this story as I live in Fargo, ND- the last place this animal called home. The local media here doesn't get very graphic with their stories as it's not "midwestern nice". After seeing the article in our newspaper about the sentence- I made the mistake of googling for more information about this case and stumbled across a couple of Idaho media outlets that described in graphic, heart wrenching detail the contents of the video that thing made. I have a nine year old son who looks similar to Dylan, nuff said.

I am not only sickened by reading (and not finishing) the description of the videos, its how much it still bothers me two days later. In this regard- the animal won. This is exactly what he wants, for Joe Blow like me to be really shocked and bothered by his actions so that he will be remembered as the "best of the worst" predators.

It immediately brings tears to my eyes- the thought of what that family and especially those children went through. RIP Dylan and I wish I could wave the magic eraser over Shasta's mind.

I whole heartedly agree... general prison population would be ideal, but it will never happen.

I was aware of this case in 2005 but now knowing what happened during those 6 weeks to those innocent little children breaks my heart over and over again. RIP Dylan, I will always remember that face and smiling eyes. RIP to the family members. And like the other poster said I wish too for a magic eraser for Shasta. I pray for strength and hope for her and her family.
And of course I totally support death in this case. I wish only it does not take a long time. Such a monster should not breath another day on this earth.

I think this is one case where justice has honestly been served. I believed from the beginning that Duncan asked to represent himself simply to ensure that mitigating circumstances in his childhood would NOT be brought up because he wants to die. Although I think the appeals process is a good check and balance, I think Duncan's wishes for the death penalty should be honored quickly. By his own admission, he comitted these heinous crimes, so there's no question of his guilt. While I sympathize with the families of his other victims, for which he has not yet been tried, I think it would be a waste of time and money to prolong this any longer.