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Bentler found guilty
Posted: 05.24.2007 at 9:00 AM
6

Quincy man insists he's innocent after conviction, plans appeal of first-degree murder verdict

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KEOSAUQUA, IOWA -- KEOSAUQUA, Iowa  - A 23-year-old Quincy  man convicted today of killing his family still insists he's innocent and plans to appeal.

A judge found Shawn Bentler guilty of five counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of his parents and three teenager sisters at their home in Iowa last October.

In a statement given to reporters, Bentler continues to assert his innocence and calls the evidence against him "circumstantial" and "very weak." He plans to appeal the case and his upcoming sentencing to the Iowa State Supreme Court.

Prosecutors focused on a 911 call the night of slayings. The call begins with Shayne Bentler saying her older brother was "going to do something," followed by the sound of a gunshot and a screamed "Shawn, no!" before the line goes dead.

Bentler faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. Sentencing is set for June 19.

REACTION: Gregg Bentler, the brother of Mike Bentler, said the verdic provides "legal justice.'' He said the family is happy with the outcome but also feels like it lost the sixth member of the family today.

Mario Bentler, Sandra's brother, expressed her appreciation for the Keosauqua community for its support and prayers during the ordeal.

Julia Mendez, the grandmother who testified in support of Sean at the trial, said she will continue to visit her grandson in jail. "The only person who can really judge Sean is God,'' she said. Mendez said she still has love in her heart and plans to give it to Sean.

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Judge Michael Mullins found Bentler guilty of all five counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of his parents and three teenager sisters at their home in Bonaparte in southeast Iowa last October. Mullins recapped the case, saying Bentler had adequate time to get from Quincy to Bonaparte, Iowa, and back to Quincy within the time frame of the murders. And he said that Bentler's attorneys failed to establish reasonable doubt that he committed the crime.

Prosecutors argued Bentler wanted to inherit money from the family's successful grain elevator and lumberyard businesses, with an estimated worth of nearly $3 million.

Defense lawyers tried to show that Bentler got along with his family and that he could not have traveled from his home in Illinois to the family's home in enough time to kill them.

Bentler was shaking, his lower lip quivering at times, before the judge announced the verdict in Van Buren County District Court.

But he stood calmly as the verdict was read to the courtroom, which was packed with more than 100 family members and others.

Stay tuned to KHQA for more details and reaction to the verdict as well as here at KHQA.com.

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