The father of two children who were murdered on the
Spirit Lake Nation of North Dakota took the stand on Monday and disavowed a confession that he gave to the
FBI.
Travis DuBois Sr. said he felt pressured to confess to the murders of
Destiny Jane Shaw-DuBois, 9, and
Travis Lee DuBois Jr, 6. They were found dead in his home on the reservation on May 21, 2011.
“I was just going along for no reason,” DuBois said in court, The Grand Forks Herald reported."I don’t know why. It’s not true.”
DuBois, however, admitted that he didn't know where his children were for three nights before they were found dead. He remained in the home for most of the time but never checked on them because he thought they were at school or with their mother, who is a tribal member.
“I had no idea that they were dead at the time,” DuBois testified, the Herald reported. “I didn’t take any action.”
Federal authorities say Valentino “Tino” Bagola, 20, killed both children after abusing them. He has denied guilt and his attorney tried to connect DuBois to the confession, the Herald reported.
Get the Story:
Father of slain Spirit Lake children said he felt pressure to confess
(The Grand Forks Herald 9/17)
Bagola’s defense tries to bolster father’s confession in Spirit Lake slayings
(The Grand Forks Herald 9/14)
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Lake children (9/12)
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Spirit Lake Nation (9/3)
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