Evidence collection, murder scene focus of Koepp hearing
Photo
James C. Koepp during his Rock County Court House appearance at a preliminary hearing in the triple homicide.
JANESVILLE — After three people were found murdered, investigators secured the crime scene and began collecting evidence.
The trailer home where Danyetta Lentz and her teenage children, Nicole and Scott, were killed was under lock and key from January 2007 to August 2007.
Fingerprints, blood samples and other evidence were collected, but the man charged in the triple homicide believes evidence was destroyed when the trailer was recycled for scrap metal.
James Koepp, 49, wants the case dismissed based on his claims of lost evidence, but law enforcement officials testified Wednesday in Rock County Court that all relevant evidence was properly secured, collected and photographed.
Attorneys for a second day Wednesday argued a motion to dismiss the case.
James Dilley, a lieutenant with the Rock County Sheriff’s Office at the time of the January 2007 murder, testified Wednesday the trailer was secured after the homicide was discovered.
A list of items taken as evidence was logged, Dilley said, and the scene remained secure after investigators left.
Seven months later, Rock County Sheriff’s Deputy John Paulson returned to the trailer to take photographs and collect a rug.
When he arrived, Paulson said, the trailer was locked with a metal latch. He said screws had to be removed to open the door.
A month later—August 2007—the trailer was destroyed.
In addition to the motion to dismiss, several other pretrial motions are pending in the case, including a motion to suppress evidence.
Koepp wants evidence collected off his shirt and jeans thrown out from trial, claiming the clothing was taken from an illegal search.
Judge Alan Bates will decide on the motion to dismiss after attorneys submit final arguments in writing in December.
Koepp remains in prison serving a sentence for felony fleeing. A trial date on his three murder charges has not been set.
Nov 19, 2008 at 11:03 a.m.
Nov 18, 2008 at 3:59 p.m.
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I hope someone named Bubba or Tank has had a lil party for "skullet" in his new home. I hope someone inside knows what he did to those 2 innocent kids and their mother
Nov 15, 2008 at 3:24 p.m.
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I think I could rock a prison suit and look HOT!
Nov 15, 2008 at 3:05 p.m.
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skullets- i love it!!!
Nov 14, 2008 at 6:47 p.m.
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I think he would look creepy even in a suit!
Nov 14, 2008 at 7:27 a.m.
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luluberry:
I think everyone looks creepy in an orange prison suit.
Nov 14, 2008 at 6:54 a.m.
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i sure hope this guy who looks like a maniac is the right person!! From the begining of the tragedy i believe he had made some sort of confession and it was thrown out. now over a year later they are still just holding him waiting for the lab results. whatever happened to priority!! this man should have been convicted awhile ago!! it is scary to 2end guess that they might have the wrong person and there is still a crazy @#@# out there. there are way to many people turning crazy. come one justice system serve and protect put this guy away so the community can rest in peace!!
Nov 14, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
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Creeeeeepy!
Take of the mask buddy, halloween is over!
Nov 13, 2008 at 7:59 p.m.
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How come yesterday the trailer had been destroyed more than a year after the crime and now today it's all the sudden August 2007? It doesn't sound like they did a great job securing it if they can't even figure out when it was destroyed.
Nov 13, 2008 at 6:06 p.m.
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How was it an illegal search if the cops asked for the clothes and he gave his clothes to the officers? He could have refused! Then they would have had to get a warrant. But he WILLINGLY handed his clothes over. I hope the family gets closure soon.
Nov 13, 2008 at 2:38 p.m.
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Remember, innocent until proven guilty.
Nov 13, 2008 at 1:45 p.m.
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Did I mention how creepy this guy looks??? He wouldn't last a week back in DECENT society.
Nov 13, 2008 at 1:44 p.m.
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I don't think there is a real chance he will get the evidence dismissed. The American legal system permits him to pursue a vigorous defense. It is the responsibility of the prosecution to prove their case.
Nov 13, 2008 at 1:12 p.m.
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Glad when this is all over....... and with the evidence proving him guilty. so the family can have the long awaited closure they deserve. everyone STAY SAFE!!
Nov 13, 2008 at 1:07 p.m.
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maybe tie their 'skullets' together to start the match??
Nov 13, 2008 at 1 p.m.
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i say we put this cat an that witzel dude into a ring for a death match...assuming theyre both found guilty by a jury of their peers;)...imagine the pay per view $$$....
Nov 13, 2008 at 12:07 p.m.
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Well, was the evidence collected correctly? Was the homicide site properly secured in order to protect evidence? I'd like these details in the story that must surely be part of the public record.
Nov 13, 2008 at 11:31 a.m.
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What a pathetic pig!
Nov 13, 2008 at 11:11 a.m.
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This "Nut Case" can't be serious to believe he's going to beat this case. If he somehow does, I wouldn't put bets he'll be around very long. If anyone ever deserved to be put away forever, it's this pathetic man.
Nov 13, 2008 at 11:08 a.m.
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He looks like a Klingon!
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