By David Lohr
May 25, 2007
KEOSAUQUA, Iowa (Crime Library) — Yesterday Judge Michael Mullins found Shawn Michael Bentler, 23, guilty on five counts of first-degree murder for the October slaying his parents and three sisters.
During the trial, Prosecutors said Bentler killed his family so he could inherit his parents $2.8 million dollar estate. Bentler's alibi — that he did not have sufficient time to drive from his apartment in Quincy, Illinois to his family's home in Bonaparte to commit the murders — was less than convincing. The 911 tape prosecutors entered as evidence was even more damning.
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| Bentler Family Funeral |
On October 14, 2006, the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department received an emergency 911 call at 3:38 a.m. from the Bentler residence at 23894 Hawk Drive. The caller, who identified herself as 14-year-old Shayne Bentler, told the dispatcher that her brother "was going to do something." She also said her mother was yelling, "No, Shawn, don't do it." Then a loud noise can be heard in the background, consistent with a gun discharging. Moments later the caller screamed "Shawn, no!" and the line went dead.
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| Shayne Bentler |
The sheriff's deputies arrived approximately 15 minutes later and discovered the bodies of Michael J. Bentler, 53; his wife, Sandra, 47; and their three daughters - Sheena, 17, Shelby, 15, and Shayne, 14.
Next Page
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Shawn Bentler Extradited to Iowa, Family Laid to Rest
Shawn Bentler Allegedly Murders his Entire Family
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