Koepp found guilty of three murder charges
Koepp murder trial
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Rock County District Attorney David O"Leary answers questions from the media after getting three guilty verdicts in the murder trial of James Koepp. A jury made up of Kenosha residents took only about two hours to make their decision in the case over the January 2007, brutal murders of Danyetta Lentz and her two children Nicole and Scott.
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James Koepp watches and listens as Judge Allan Bates reads three guilty verdicts in his triple homicide trial. Koepp was found guilty of three counts of first degree intentional homicide in the January 2007 deaths of Danyetta Lentz and her two children Nicole and Scott.
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Aided by Victim/Witness Coordinator Shelly Sturdevant, Russell Lucht is overcome with emotion as Judge Allan Bates reads three guilty verdicts in the murder trial of James Koepp. Koepp was found guilty of the brutal 2007 murder of Lucht's daughter Danyetta Lentz and her two children Nicole and Scott.
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Russell Lucht, father of Danyetta Lentz, makes a statement to the media after three guilty verdicts were returned in the triple murder trial of James Koepp. Koepp was charged with the murder of Lentz and her children Nicole and Scott in January of 2007.
JANESVILLE — Russell Lucht cried, trembled and bowed his head Tuesday after the guilty verdicts were read in the Rock County courtroom.
Three years earlier, Lucht had found his daughter and grandchildren murdered in their home. Blood was everywhere. He ran for help.
On Tuesday, Lucht watched jurors convict James Koepp, 51, on three counts of first-degree intentional homicide.
Twelve jurors took 90 minutes to decide Koepp stabbed and strangled Danyetta Lentz and her teenage children, Nicole and Scott.
For Lucht, the verdict couldn’t have come soon enough.
“It’s been a long three years,” he said, thanking prosecutors and investigators for their hard work.
“It’s been hard,” he said.
District Attorney David O’Leary said he was confident in the facts and evidence in the case.
“I’m just grateful that the jury agreed with us,” he said. “I’m relieved.”
He said his thoughts are with the victims’ family.
“I’m grateful for the family,” he said. “My prayers are with the family."
Sheriff Bob Spoden pumped his fist when the verdict was read.
“I am pleased that justice was done,” he said. “At the end of the day, we have to remember that three innocent people lost their lives.”
Koepp showed no visible reaction when the verdict was read. His attorneys left the courtroom without speaking.
Jurors declined to comment.
After the verdict was read, Koepp had his bond revoked.
He will be sentenced to three life sentences at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 27. Attorneys will argue whether he should be eligible for parole.
DNA evidence
DNA evidence was key to the trial, O’Leary said.
In his closing arguments, O’Leary and Deputy District Attorney Perry Folts said the victims’ blood was on the jeans and shirt Koepp wore the night of the murders.
A bloody tie used to strangle the victims had Koepp’s DNA on it, O’Leary said.
Nicole’s and Danyetta’s fingernails had Koepp’s DNA underneath them, probably from clawing and scratching their murderer, he said.
Koepp’s DNA also was found in blood on the showerhead and body scrubber in the Lentz home, O’Leary said.
In his closing arguments, Assistant Public Defender Walter Isaacson said unknown male DNA was found on the handle of a knife at the crime scene.
Two samples of unknown male DNA were found on material used to strangle Danyetta, he said.
Koepp’s DNA also was on the tie because Koepp gave it to Scott.
A blood sample on Koepp’s jeans also was too small to use as evidence, he said.
Crime theories
Prosecutors argued Koepp killed the Lentz family to prevent his wife from finding out about his affair with Danyetta and divorcing him.
Defense attorneys argued an unknown robber killed the Lentz family in an attempt to get money or prescription drugs.
O’Leary said the unknown robber theory isn’t believable because the Lentz family was poor. Danyetta gave plasma for money and had no money in her bank account.
Gift cards, bank cards and cash in Danyetta’s pocket also were left at the scene, he said.
No one wanted to steal pills, either, because prescription drugs were left behind, O’Leary said.
The murder scene was staged to look like a robbery, he said.
Defense attorneys said an unknown robber might have done the murders because no money was found in the home.
A video-game system was missing, Isaacson said.
An unknown black SUV was parked outside the Lentz home at 1 a.m. on the night of the murders, he said.
Someone also had turned on lights in the Lentz home after the prosecutor claims the murders occurred, Isaacson said.
Lying to investigators
Koepp initially lied to investigators about being in the Lentz home that night, O’Leary said.
He later admitted to being there, he said.
Koepp also lied to detectives about knowing the Lentzes then admitted having an affair with Danyetta, O’Leary said.
Koepp also led police on a high-speed chase when he was supposed to be questioned about the murders, he said.
He told a police officer everything was going against him, saying “Oh c’mon, I gave you my … pants,” O’Leary said
His actions showed a “consciousness of guilt,” he said.
Isaacson said Koepp lied to detectives because he was embarrassed about his affair. He didn’t want his wife to find out.
He was under stress and emotional, he said.
Koepp also had no reason to kill Danyetta over the affair because he didn’t fear Danyetta telling his wife, Isaacson said.
The affair included one sexual encounter months earlier, he said.
Other evidence
On the night of the killings, Nicole told her boyfriend on the phone that “Jim” was in her home. Nicole’s boyfriend tried to call Nicole again at 9:30 p.m., but no one answered, the prosecutor said.
After the murders, Koepp called his brother, crying and upset, saying he did something stupid and didn’t mean to hurt anyone, O’Leary said.
Koepp also called a former employer and said he was worried about his fingerprints being at the homicide scene, he said.
Koepp had injuries on his body from the victims fighting him, O’Leary said.
Koepp’s injuries, however, could have come from deputies taking him down when he was arrested, defense attorneys said.
Koepp’s attorneys also posed several questions:
How could Koepp kill all three victims without the victims helping one another or trying to escape?
Why would Koepp kill Danyetta when her kids were home?
Why would the killer stab and strangle the victims at the same time?
Was there a second killer?
“It doesn’t make sense,” Isaacson said.
'Find him guilty'
O’Leary showed the jury pictures of the victims during his closing arguments.
Danyetta was a 38-year-old daycare teacher. Her children were students at Parker High School.
“Danyetta fought for her life and fought for the life of her children,” O’Leary said. “There was a battle, Danyetta put it up.”
He then said Koepp, a neighbor, was the killer.
“He murdered Danyetta, he murdered Scott and he murdered Nicole,” O’Leary said. “I’m asking you to find him guilty.”
The defense said the prosecution’s case had reasonable doubt.
“The verdict should support the facts, and I believe the facts in this case support a verdict of not guilty,” Isaacson said.
Koepp was convicted in 1983 of sexually assaulting two women. He is a registered sex offender.
Koepp was arrested five days after the murders when he fled police. He is in prison serving a sentence for felony fleeing for the chase.
Feb 5, 2010 at 4:19 p.m.
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Actually Spark putting a prisoner to death is way more expensive than paying that 24K for their entire life. Its actually cheaper to lock someone up for life then go trhough that process.
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Feb 4, 2010 at 11 p.m.
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spark said, "poobah - No offense, but comparing the act of killing families, kids, etc and wanting to see someone get the death penalty for committing such crimes, isn't even in the same remote category." I beg to differ. You're blind to the fact that carrying out an execution is violence -- state sponsored violence. Violence is violence. Period.
Feb 4, 2010 at 4:59 p.m.
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Too bad Koepp didn't take the witness stand and explain how the victims' blood got on his pants and how his DNA got under the fingernails of the victims.
Maybe we should blame him for his "wrongful conviction" for not taking the witness stand.
Feb 4, 2010 at 2:16 p.m.
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For all you pro capital punishment, presume guilt-prove innocence true believers out there, I would strongly recommend reading John Grisham's book, The Innocent Man. Lots of similarities to the Koepp case, and scary because it's all true. Not to say that Koepp is innocent, but even one wrongly convicted person getting the death penalty amounts to state run murder. That's not the kind of country I want to live in.
Feb 4, 2010 at 2:05 p.m.
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I sure hope the next time there's some horrible crime committed in this town the cops are lucky enough to have a registered sex offender right next door to blame it on. Clearly the masses are for more concerned with their pound of flesh than they are with the truth. I knew Koepp, and while he's no saint, he's also no Ninja, like someone would have to be if they were 5'5" and 140 lbs. and could take out 3 people before any of them could get away.
Feb 4, 2010 at 9:56 a.m.
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Pink - That's the difference between you and many others and a murderer like this. You say if you got life in prison, the death penalty would be a godsend. For someone that's lived a life of crime, prison is nothing to them. It's a way of life. They know nothing different. There will be no such thing as hard labor behind bars. The prisoners still complain they have it rough. Too bad. That's what prisons for. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he got what he did, but I'd be even happier with the death penalty.
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It costs roughly $24,000 a year per prisoner! Appeals for the death penalty would be much cheaper in the long run. There should be nothing to appeal in the first place. JMO
Feb 4, 2010 at 8:49 a.m.
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poobah-I am with you...violence perpetuates violence...I feel horrible and have been sick to my stomach about these lives being taken away but has anyone stopped to consider what conditions create a monster like this-something obviously went very wrong in his development and probaly included violence...if I got life in prison to me the death penalty would be a godsend-yeah-it cost us money but it will cost us just as much money in the appeals and crap that he would be entitled too. Frankly-I think hard labor forcing him to somehow pay for his incarceration seems just. JMO
Feb 4, 2010 at 8:26 a.m.
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poobah - No offense, but comparing the act of killing families, kids, etc and wanting to see someone get the death penalty for committing such crimes, isn't even in the same remote category. To say you have chosen the same as violent criminals is purely idiotic. It's called justice and some of us wish the death penalty existed. While I'm happy he got three life sentences, I feel scum like this doesn't deserve to continue life, especially on my tax dollars.
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You see, there's a big difference from waking up in the morning knowing you could never take another life in cold blood and waking up hoping those people that can do such a horrible thing, get paid back.
Feb 4, 2010 at 8:15 a.m.
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The term is "special circumstances." The special circumstances of this case is how brutal and repetitive the crimes were. There'll probably be no parole.
Feb 4, 2010 at 1:37 a.m.
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mrsjoe, the granting of parole eligibility is part of sentencing, which has not occurred. The attorneys are allowed to argue for it at the sentencing hearing, as your attorneys would be should you be accused of a crime. That does not mean it will be granted (and it is unlikely that it will be in a crime of this nature).
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Koepp is going to be in prison with a lot of other murderers. He does not have the notoriety that Dahmer had. Few people outside of this area will have heard of him at all.
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Koepp may appeal, but again, that is part of the American system of jurisprudence in which that is a basic right of the accused.
Feb 3, 2010 at 6:29 p.m.
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Too bad they can't fry him.
Feb 3, 2010 at 6:02 p.m.
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i would also like to add i cried and hooted and hollered when i found out about this..and the funny thing is i was in the middle of class and the teacher was talkin..and i was FINALLY THAT JACKA** IS FINALLY CONVICTED..NOW THEY CAN REST AS WELL AS THERE FAMILY..then of course the class had the biggest and most heart felt conversation about them i have been apart of! rest in paradise lentz family
Feb 3, 2010 at 5:58 p.m.
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i just want to thank the jurors for find this man guilty...Its been 3 long years and i believe the family has ben thru enough and they were ready to put them to rest. My thoughts and wishes and love goes to the family. I knew scott since kindergarten and its a shame that their lives were taken so sudden. i would just like to also say i hope koepp rots in the jail. I know this may sound cruel but i hope other inmates torture the mess out of him and possibly even give him a dose of his own medicine. Rest in paradise Scott, Nicole and Danyetta. We will all remember you and love you always!!
Feb 3, 2010 at 5:30 p.m.
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The only thing that I don't understand is this: Murder carries a mandatory life sentence. Koepp received 3 of these. Why then, is he going to be eligible for parole?
Feb 3, 2010 at 4:56 p.m.
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spark, what do you mean I should choose my side more wisely? When you and others advocate and pray for violence you have chosen the same side as violent criminals -- violence. I always have and always will speak out against violence, especially when I see so many people advocating and praying for violence. I know it isn't popular but I know it is right.
Feb 3, 2010 at 3:49 p.m.
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What? Does everyone think you can just walk up to a guy in prison and run a shiv in em'? They are being watched 24-7 strictly because of what happened to Dahmer. Especially at Columbia where Dahmer was.What I want to know is how hard are they looking for the "unknown" persons whose DNA was on the murder weapons? Or is it "We got our man-end of story"?
Feb 3, 2010 at 3:37 p.m.
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While any time may be appropriate to advocate against violence, this might be as good, if not better than most. A trial just ended with a judgement against a horribly violent act by someone.
While it may be natural to want to see a monster suffer, is it then okay to advocate and perpetuate violence? Wouldn't that then be stooping to the monsters level? And then who makes that call and where does the line get drawn about who gets brutalized and who doesn't? And who decides who gets to do the violence and to what extent and at what point does it happen? How many people in history have probably been wrongly accused and suffered violence because of it? Just food for thought, hopefully.
Koepp has proven himself to be a violent and evil human, which with pathetic little creeps like him, it's all about control. Hopefully being locked up for life will make him suffer mental and physical anguish beyond compare. Maybe if he even has to be kept in solitary confinement, it will add years and years to his suffering. Death is just too good for some.
Feb 3, 2010 at 3:23 p.m.
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Okiefed- I agree hopefully somebody in prison will do their own justice.
Yes it is violent but I think it needs to be done!
Feb 3, 2010 at 1:47 p.m.
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poobah - Some people could really care less about much when it comes to someone that does something to a child. I'm also one of those. May I suggest you choose your sides more wisely. Now is not the time to preach about violence.
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So what do you suppose caused the original violence? You know, the actual act that took place from the actual criminal? You going to blame America and society? Or do you understand why someone might make a comment out of emotions about a scumbag like this?
Feb 3, 2010 at 1:06 p.m.
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Does anyone here know if every one of the samples of unidentified male DNA noted in this case came from the same person? If so, is the case closed with regard to that DNA evidence?
Feb 3, 2010 at 12:01 p.m.
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OkieFed said, "Child killers are generally not treated too well in prison. I pray that he is brutalized daily there." Criminals are violent and non-criminals like OkieFed pray for violence. Once again, idiotic responses to a horrible tragedy make it very clear why violence is so prevalent in American society.
Feb 3, 2010 at 11:41 a.m.
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God bless this family and I hope they can feel some closure now and find peace. Nothing will bring back Danyetta, Nicole or Scott, but at least this horrible monster is going to pay for what he did.
Feb 3, 2010 at 10:20 a.m.
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He already commited sex crimes in 1983.. it's hard (if at all possible) to turn a sex offender around. He sat so smug in the courtroom.. that alone says that if he "walked", he would be capable of doing this same sort of thing over and over again. I'm *SO* thankful for the guilty verdict, now maybe the Lentz family can rest in peace. God be with the Lentz family!!
Feb 3, 2010 at 10:14 a.m.
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Jenshaw: It too brought me to tears. I think so many people are desensitized by all of these murder/investigative/court shows. It's all just entertainment to so many. Well I hope they now get the fact that this was NOT a show, this was as real as it gets. Monsters that entertain us on tv and keep us on the edge of our seats are real... and they appearently live awefully close to home.
I hope that monster rots in hell where he belongs. The terror and hurt he caused an entire family, as well as most of our community. It takes a truly heartless person to take the lives of three innoccent people; especially three such kind, caring, and big hearted people. Koepp's guilty verdict won't bring back the Lentz family, but I sure do hope they're watching down on this whole situation knowing that that monster is finally going to get what's coming to him. I hope they can finally rest in peace, they will most definitly be missed by so many people.
Feb 3, 2010 at 10:11 a.m.
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I agree that justice has been served. Too bad Wisconsin doesn't have the death penalty. Anyone who murders another human being in cold blood doesn't deserve to live anymore. He should have just plead guilty in the first place and saved the the victims' family from having to sit through a trial. I don't think he should be eligible for parole. He doesn't deserve to be out in society ever again.
Feb 3, 2010 at 9:58 a.m.
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Last night I turned up the news and was sitting their alone when I heard the verdict. I hooted, hollered, and clapped. I thought about Danyetta and the kids, cried, and said they got him. Thank god for this day! I feel for the family. Keep your head held high Russ and always think of the great memories of your beautiful family.
Feb 3, 2010 at 9:46 a.m.
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I agree, The One.
Feb 3, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.
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To all those who thought, "He’ll walk"... Nice call, you really cannot be that… well maybe you can! I must say, all those years of Matlock and CSI have really paid off. Good thing Mayberry was working this case because I would say they did a hell of a job taking a triple murder off the street. Thanks to the men and women who spent months putting this case together and congratulations on a guilty verdict…
Feb 3, 2010 at 8:06 a.m.
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I totally agree "enufsaid". I hope the Columbia Corrections officers "turn their heads" like they did with Dahmer. Koepp deserves it!
Feb 3, 2010 at 7:52 a.m.
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Justice has been served! Another murderer off to prison! Wouldn't it be a tragedy if he served the same fate in prison as Jeffrey Dahmer did? (*grin*).
Feb 3, 2010 at 6:14 a.m.
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Finally some peace for the Lentz family.
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