WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderTestimony begins in Janesville triple slaying trial

Testimony begins in Janesville triple slaying trial

By Bob Schaper

JANESVILLE (WREX) - Three years after a triple-murder in Janesville, the case goes to trial.

Prosecutors say 50-year-old James Koepp strangled and stabbed to death three neighbors in his mobile home park - charges he denies.

In fact, his attorneys argue the murders were committed by an unknown robber who struck the night of Jan. 11, 2007.

The jury was sworn in at 9:50 a.m. Both sides gave opening arguments this morning in a trial that's expected to last two weeks, and has already had a few surprises.

Lot 37 in Janesville Terrace used to be the home of Danyetta Lentz and her children, Nicole and Scott. Now it sits empty, just a few feet from the trailer Koepp called home. Both sides agree Koepp was a family friend of the Lentzes and visited them the night they were murdered.

Public defender Walter Isaacson claims Koepp had a one-time sexual encounter with Danyetta the week before. He went to her house to express remorse and clear the air, but left when he saw her children were there.

District Attorney David O'Leary believes Koepp murdered the Lentzes to keep the affair secret from his wife. And O'Leary says there's plenty of DNA evidence pointing to Koepp, including Danyetta's blood on his clothes.

"Those witnesses (from the Wisconsin State Crime Lab) are going to testify how they responded to the scene of the victims," O'Leary said.

But Isaacson says some DNA evidence actually clears his client, and the real murderer broke into the trailer long after Koepp left.

"I think there's evidence that there was some pills in the house, Ridilin, and I don't know if police are going to testify that those are things that get stolen," he said.

Koepp is in prison serving a four-year sentence for drunk driving and reckless endangerment. That happened when he led cops on a 19-mile car chase after missing an appointment with detectives.

He appeared in court dressed in khaki slacks and a long-sleeved polo and his shoulder-length hair cropped to his ears.

On Monday, nine men and seven women, all white, were picked from a pool of about 200 to be on the jury.  Twelve will deliberate the verdict, four will serve as alternates. Rock county judge R. Alan Bates says jurors were selected from Kenosha County because of all the media attention the case has received.

The trial is scheduled for two weeks, but there is no time limit.