Bentler Takes the Stand in his own Defense

By Dave Franzman, Reporter

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: May 11, 2007 at 10:21 AM CST

Story Updated: May 11, 2007 at 7:09 PM CST

KEOSAUQUA - In a surprising move, the defendant in a mass murder trial took the stand Friday morning around 11 a.m. Scroll down to watch the video of Bentler on the stand.

Shawn Bentler, 23, is accused of shooting and killing both of his parents and three teenage sisters at the family's Iowa home last October.

Shawn Bentler talked about the love and respect he had for his mother, father and three sister he's accused of killing.

Speaking softly and showing little emotion, Bentler reminisced about holding each of his sisters at their birth. He described a bond with his mother that only grew deeper when he became a parent. He spoke proudly of his father, who he says was “a wonderful person”.

Bentler described his family as emotionally and financially
supportive. He says he was unemployed in the days leading up to his family's killing, and a little strapped for cash, but says the situation was manageable.

In any case, he says, if he didn't have any money, his dad “would take care of it.”

Iowa City psychologist Frank Gersh gave Bentler a number of standard mental and psychological test.

He says he found Bentler suffers from no psychiatric or mental disorders and was competent to stand trial.

But he says the test also showed Bentler was not trying to exaggerate good or bad traits for some trial purpose.

He found no evidence of what he called anger issues and believes Bentler's brief reaction to the murder of his family to be appropriate.

But prosecutors pointed out Dr. Gersh only met Bentler for three of four hours. And the psychologist admitted Bentler would have had reason to hide true feelings or actions toward his family because he's facing five murder charges.

WATCH BENLTER ON THE STAND:
Video Clip 1
Video Clip 2

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