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Judge allows Bentler 911 tape in court

By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Apr 13, 2007 at 11:50 AM CST

Story Updated: Apr 16, 2007 at 3:44 PM CST

DES MOINES (AP) - Prosecutors will be allowed to play the frantic 911 call made from the home where Shawn Bentler is accused of killing his parents and three sisters.

A judge has denied Bentler's motion to suppress the evidence. The judge says the tape contained reliable information that was later confirmed by investigators who found the family dead in their Bonaparte home.

Bentler was arrested Oct. 14 at his home in Quincy, Illinois, and charged with five counts of first-degree murder.

In the 911 tape, Bentler's sister Shayne, 14, told the dispatcher her brother was about to do something. Gunshots were then heard and the line went dead.

Bentler's attorneys tried to suppress the tape, calling its contents hearsay that was not admissible in court.

District Judge Michael Mullins agreed that the tape contained hearsay, but he ruled that exceptions are allowed under certain circumstances.

Mullins will allow Bentler to wear non-jail clothes at his trial, which is scheduled to start May 7th in Van Buren County.

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