James Bentley Sexual Abuse Trial Should Start July 28th

By Dave Franzman, Reporter

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)

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By Dave Franzman

Story Created: Jul 18, 2008 at 4:45 PM CST

Story Updated: Jul 18, 2008 at 4:45 PM CST

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.


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