James Bentley Sexual Abuse Trial Should Start July 28th

James Bentley (right) listens to his attorney Mark Brown after a hearing at the Linn County Courthouse on Wednesday, May 31, 2006, in Cedar Rapids. Bentley is to go on trial for second-degree sexual abuse of Jetseta Gage in Linn and Benton counties. Bentley is accused of abusing Jetseta in his Vinton apartment and in Cedar Rapids. (Photo by Jim Slosiarek, The Gazette)

Tools

James Bentley Sexual Abuse Trial Should Start July 28th

By Dave Franzman, Reporter

By Dave Franzman

ANAMOSA- Trial should still start July 28th for convicted child pornographer James Bentley.

Bentley is already serving a 100-year federal term for taking sexually explicit photos of Jetseta Gage and a 1-year-old girl. But he could face up to 50-years on state charges connected to the actual sexual abuse of Gage.

James Bentley appeared in a Jones County court Friday afternoon for a final pre-trial hearing. His trial is set to begin in Osceola on the 28th.

While James Bentley is accused of sexually abusing the 10-year-old Cedar Rapids girl, his brother Roger is serving a life term for her murder.
Jetseta Gage was kidnapped and killed in March of 2005.

In what could be the final pre-trial hearing, attorneys learned that the state plans to call some last minute witnesses at trial. But District Judge Denver Dillard told both sides he did not want that last minute change to disrupt the schedule.

James Bentley's trial on state charges from both Benton and Linn Counties was repeatedly delayed due to judicial appeals. The state wanted to use a videotaped interview with Jetseta Gage at Bentley's trial. But last March, the U.S. Supreme Court turned down a final appeal to use the tape at trial.


View comments

The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of KCRG-TV9. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited.

Tuesday, Jul 22 at 2:07 PM Anonymous wrote ...

IF HE WAS A DOG THEY WOULD HAVE SHOT HIM. THEY QUESTIONED HEIS RIGHTS WHAT ABOUT GAGES RIGHTS???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Monday, Jul 21 at 9:41 PM Anonymous wrote ...

they should have fun in the pin while big omar is bending them over

Monday, Jul 21 at 11:08 AM For Rob wrote ...

For once I agree with you, I'll even pay for a whole box of bullets, be even better if we could execute his brother right along with him.

Monday, Jul 21 at 10:28 AM Rob wrote ...

For all you people who think the state is wasting money...a bullet only costs a few cents.

Monday, Jul 21 at 9:14 AM disappointed wrote ...

IA needs the dealth penalty.

Monday, Jul 21 at 8:49 AM Tom you are a genuis wrote ...

Fry this sucker, low and slow and make it hurt.

Monday, Jul 21 at 7:55 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I am so sick & tired of seeing and hearing about this scum bag & his brother. Time to just put them both where they belong, and that would be hell. It time to quit wasting all the taxpayers money keeping these two in existance.

Monday, Jul 21 at 2:38 AM Tom wrote ...

Two words: death penelty!

Sunday, Jul 20 at 1:17 PM Huh? wrote ...

This guy isn't already dead? (I thought he was already)

Sunday, Jul 20 at 5:55 AM grams wrote ...

Their is not a punishment out their great enough for this person, I can't even call him a human being. I am not a fan of capital punishment but think these scum bags deserve it with a full strength dose, but first let the other prisoners at him to do what he did to all of those little girls, including Jetseta. Hope they get this settled so he doesn't have any chance for parole. I to agree her mother should have been charged with neglect for letting her little girl be around these scumsbags.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 8:18 PM ??? wrote ...

Why waste the money?? Are you people crazy, this has all the makings of a great HBO original movie, or some network movie or series. Without the additional court cases, they can't finish off the story.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 7:22 PM Couldn't of said it better myself wrote ...

I agree wrote ...There is no parole in the federal prison system for major crimes, he is already going to die in prison. The DA is wasting tax payers money to his office in the lime light of a hi profile case. If the DA wants more justice, charge jestas mom for being a bad parent and letting her child around these freaks. Flag for moderation

Saturday, Jul 19 at 7:14 PM Anonymous wrote ...

look at him smile in the photo; makes me sick! what a waste of life he is. and we have to pay for him to be in jail. thats what everyone should be gripping about our tax money going for not the flood surviors.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 6:44 PM Amy wrote ...

Doesn't the state have better things to spend tax payer's money on? I thought by now someone would have locked the scum bag up and thrown away the key.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 1:12 PM To 9:19 anon wrote ...

It's about the money. Win or lose, this attorney will still get paid. How can a "client" like this P.O.S. even HAVE a defense?? I mean, really.... In cut-and-dried smoking gun instanses like this... what can one possibly have to say, in their defense?? Unbelieveable-

Saturday, Jul 19 at 11:56 AM generalize wrote ...

he's being charged on fed counts because he took the pictures across state lines. he hasn't been killed yet because he is in solitary cnfinment,not in gp. Trina should also be charged for not taking care of her kids, the 1 yr old is her kid too!

Saturday, Jul 19 at 11:40 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I hope that his cell mate kills him.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 9:13 AM What a Waste wrote ...

what a waste of tax dollars! just lock him up and let the prison mates have their fun with him and let him feel just a bit of the horror those innocent girls must have felt.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 8:59 AM Jenny wrote ...

Federal you can get parole, it is just less time than State. Also should we charge all mom's who kid's are molested?? Lets charge the people who do the molesting!!! Waste of money for justice??? I think the waste of money is letting molisters live!!! Justice is not free, but is deserved on every charge!!! This man has been molesting kids for years and what about the other parents??? Are they to blame?? James was aquitted 2 times before Jetseta because he told the kids he would kill them.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 8:18 AM Anonymous wrote ...

he is a nasty person was a freak in high school and now a child molester he has kids of his own hope he didnt do anything to them i am surpised nobody killed him yet either maybe he is in pc and is a narc now

Saturday, Jul 19 at 7:29 AM THE KEEPER wrote ...

HEY SCUM BAG, I HOPE BUBBA FINDS YOU IN THE SHOWER. BAD THING IS YOU WILL PROBABLY ENJOY IT. DONT WORRY BENTLEY YOUR JUDGEMENT DAY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. WATCH YOUR BACK IN THE BIG YARD. THE METAL DETECTER CANNOT PICK UP WANT WE ARE CARRYING FOR YOU !!!!!!!!!!! THE KEEPER

Friday, Jul 18 at 11:18 PM annoyed wrote ...

Do you really think because he has a 100 year term that he could never get out? Ideally we would quit letting these scum bag child molesters out, ever. Until then he needs more time added to that term for his abuse. I don't consider it a waste of my money to keep these people away from our children.

Friday, Jul 18 at 10:54 PM Go State wrote ...

WAY TO GO STATE! Spend our MONEY!Can you say Federal Term? It means NO PROBATION NO POROLL.

Friday, Jul 18 at 10:41 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I'm surprized that no one has killed him yet!!Yes it is awaste of money.

Friday, Jul 18 at 9:19 PM Anon. wrote ...

How can anyone sleep at night being the attorney of such an animal?

Friday, Jul 18 at 8:33 PM I agree wrote ...

There is no parole in the federal prison system for major crimes, he is already going to die in prison. The DA is wasting tax payers money to his office in the lime light of a hi profile case. If the DA wants more justice, charge jestas mom for being a bad parent and letting her child around these freaks.

Friday, Jul 18 at 8:15 PM CR Resident wrote ...

fry this one...he's a bottom feeder.

Friday, Jul 18 at 7:19 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Why should we WASTE our money....Hes not EVER getting out!!!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

By submitting a comment to this web site, I affirm that I have read, understand, agree to and shall abide by the following rules and regulations as a term and condition of all comments which I may post. As terms and conditions of using this KCRG web site, I agree that I am fully responsible for the contents of all statements which I make. To the best of my knowledge, all such statements are true, fair, and accurate. I shall not post any statements which attack a person’s integrity or moral character, expose a person to public hatred, contempt or ridicule, deprive a person of the benefits of public confidence and social dealings, or injure a person in the maintenance of that person’s business. I shall not knowingly post content that violates the copyright, trademark, patent or other intellectual property right of a third person. I shall not post content that is false, liable, defamatory, obscene, abusive, that violates a person’s right to privacy, that otherwise violates any applicable local, state, national or international law or that is otherwise inappropriate. I acknowledge that if I post a comment which violates this policy that an offended person to whom comments are directed may have a right through judicial process to determine my identity and make a claim against me for damages. I agree that I shall indemnify KCRG, its employees, agents, representatives and affiliates from any and all expenses KCRG may incur as a result of comments I post which violate this policy, claims and/or damages, including but not limited to reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. KCRG is not responsible for the contents posted or anything arising out of the use of the contents or other interaction and has no obligation or duty to monitor or control any posting but does reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove, or edit user generated comment.

I have read and agree to the terms

Hide comments
Athlete of the Week
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
More On Demand

What's On KCRG

6:30
Bank of America 500 at
10:30
KCRG-TV9 News at 10
11:05
Two and a Half Men
11:35
CSI:New York