Warrants in Bentler family slaying unsealed

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Feb 20, 2007 at 6:09 PM CST

Story Updated: Feb 20, 2007 at 6:09 PM CST

KEOSAUQUA (AP) - Investigators have seized several pieces of evidence in the case of Shawn Bentler, who is accused of killing his parents and three younger sisters last fall in southeast Iowa.

According to court documents, investigators seized spent shell casings, a 22-caliber rifle and a bloodied bed comforter from the family's Bonaparte home.

Bentler is charged with five counts of first-degree murder for the October 14th deaths of his father Michael, his mother Sandra, and his sisters -- 17-year-old Sheena, 15-year-old Shelby and 14-year-old Shayne.

Trial is set for May 7th in Van Buren County.

If convicted, the 23-year-old would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.

Other pieces of evidence seized form the Bentler home include bullet fragments found in the upstairs area of the home; a few cell phones, some fingerprints and two rifles -- one of them found in a ditch near the home.

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