IA - Jetseta Gage, 10, abducted & murdered, Cedar Rapids, 24 March 2005

[mysteriew]

38-year-old Roger Bentley is accused of killing Gage in March. Bentley's lawyers filed a motion to keep Gage's eight-year-old brother from testifying at trial. The testimony is important to prosecutors because he told police he saw his sister leave with Bentley the night she disappeared. But the defense claims the boy is too young and may not understand questions he's asked on the stand. They also say he might be too young to accurately remember events surrounding his sister's disappearance.
http://www.kwwl.com/Global/story.asp?S=4047207

 

[PrayersForMaura]

Prosecutor: Jetseta's 8-year-old brother unable to testify


Iowa City, Ia. — The brother of a Cedar Rapids girl who was kidnapped and killed last March is emotionally unable to be a witness in the trial of the man charged in the child’s death, prosecutors said.

Johnson County Attorney J. Patrick White said in a court filing Wednesday that Ian Gage, 8, could not swear an oath to tell the truth or respond to lawyers’ questions during an Oct. 10 deposition.

There are no plans to try another deposition, White said.

‘‘Thus, although the minor child remains as a listed witness, the state agrees that it cannot actually use the child as a witness at trial and that this can only change if a meaningful deposition opportunity is afforded to (Bentley) . . .’’ White wrote. Court documents don’t explain Ian’s behavior further.

Roger Bentley, 38, of Brandon, is charged with first-degree kidnapping and first-degree murder in the disappearance and death of Jetseta Gage.

The 10-year-old girl was taken from her home on March 24. Her body was found the next day in a cabinet in an abandoned mobile home in rural Johnson County. Bentley was arrested at the mobile home that day.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051201/NEWS/51201002/1001/RSS01

 

[Bobbisangel]

Trial for a man charged with sexually abusing Jetseta Gage has been delayed until Jan. 9.

James Bentley, 33, is charged with second-degree sexual abuse. He is accused of sexually abusing the 10-year-old Cedar Rapids girl over a three-year period.

He is charged in both Benton and Linn counties.

His trial in Benton County was scheduled to start Nov. 7, but his lawyer asked for a delay.
http://www.ketv.com/news/5143681/detail.html

If this guy only dated Jetseta's mother for a short period of time how did he have the availability to sexually abuse her over a three year period of time?
Did the mom trust him and allow her daughter to spend a lot of time with him?

 

[mysteriew]

The attorney for a Vinton man says his client can't get a fair trial in eastern Iowa because of his link to the Jetseta Gage murder trial.

James Howard Bentley, 34, is charged with two counts of second-degree sexual abuse based on allegations he molested Jetseta, a 10-year-old Cedar Rapids girl, several times between 2002 and 2004. Bentley's brother, Roger Paul Bentley, 38, of Brandon, is charged with kidnapping and murdering Jetseta last March.

James Bentley's charges are almost always included in stories about Roger Bentley, Fiester said.

"It's difficult, if not impossible, for the public to distinguish between Roger Bentley and James Bentley," he said.

Prosecutors from Linn and Benton counties argued jurors don't have to be ignorant of the Jetseta case to be impartial. Benton County Attorney David Thompson said that if Remley grants the change of venue, the trial should be moved to Bremer, Winneshiek or Cerro Gordo counties — all in northern Iowa.

Remley, who delayed James Bentley's trials until after March 1, said he would rule quickly on the change of venue motion.
http://www.dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060104/NEWS01/601040346/1001/archive

 

[mysteriew]

Attorneys for Roger Bentley have asked a judge to throw out evidence.

38-year-old Bentley, of Brandon, is scheduled to to go on trial next Monday in Scott County. He is charged with first-degree kidnapping and first-degree murder in the March slaying of ten-year-old Jetseta Gage.

Bentley's lawyers say a search warrant and much of the evidence it allowed investigators to gather should be thrown out. They say the warrant lacks specifics, included technical errors and was based on heresay.

Bentley's lawyers also challenged a decision by a Johnson County sheriff's deputy to seize Bentley's clothing, clip a fingernail and take evidence swabs during a police interview.

The deputy testified that he asked for the clothes after he saw what appeared to be blood on them.
http://www.whotv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4379956&nav=2HAB

 

[mysteriew]

A judge will allow disputed evidence in the Roger Bentley trial. The decision came Friday morning, just three days before his murder trial starts. Judge Patrick Grady rejected every argument Bentley's attorneys made to keep evidence from a search warrant out of the trial.

His attorneys said the search warrant for that trailer was invalid, the judge said Bentley can't challenge the search because. “There's no evidence Bentley had permission from the owner to be on the property."

”So Bentley has not shown he has any standing to challenge the search of the premises." The judge went on to explain why he's also allowing evidence from Bentley's body and clothes in court.

It all has to do with what officers saw when they walked into the trailer. Bentley had red stains on his jeans, they found a bloody mattress and articles of clothing her mother described as similar to Jetseta's."

So the judge ruled "There is abundant probable cause to search Bentley's vehicle, trailer, clothing and body."
http://www.kcrg.com/article.aspx?art_id=99294&cat_id=123

 

[mysteriew]

It's been nearly ten months since Jetseta Gage disappeared from her northwest Cedar Rapids neighborhood. Jetseta's neighborhood will never be the same. As KCRG-TV9 News talked to neighbors, many said they'll be watching Roger Bentley’s murder trial closely.

Opening arguments could begin as early as this week.

Neighbors say Jetseta's murder changed the neighborhood and their lives forever. Now they want justice for Jetseta. “I think people watch their children more. I've talked to my kids many, many times about it."

”Right after it happened, we talked to our kids and let them know you don't talk to strangers."

The murder of the little girl launched a new awareness of sex offenders, and sex crimes. New sex offender laws could help stop a similar crime from happening again. But, it's already too late for Jetseta.
http://www.kcrg.com/article.aspx?art_id=99347&cat_id=123

 

[mysteriew]

Laywers this morning dismissed eight people from the jury pool in the Roger Bentley kidnapping and murder trial.

One woman — a mother, grandmother and teacher — said she did not think she could be fair because she was sexually abused by a foster parent when she was 10 or 11 years old.

Attorneys and Judge Patrick Grady interviewed 15 potential jurors Tuesday morning in an office outside the courtroom.

Since jury selection began Monday, 21 people have been asked to remain and 22 excused. Lawyers want 40 potential jurors who will be narrowed to a jury of 12 with two alternates.

Opening statements are expected to begin Wednesday.
http://www.dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060124/NEWS01/60124009/1001

Photo helps sift Bentley jurors

Prospective jurors in Roger Bentley's kidnapping and murder trial reacted with horror, sadness and anger when they saw a photograph of Jetseta Gage's body.

But by the end of the first day of the jury selection process, 15 men and women said they could be impartial jurors after seeing the photograph of the 10-year-old Cedar Rapids girl, naked, bound at the ankles and with a plastic bag over her head. Those 15 were asked to return today.

"It's definitely different than you see on 'CSI,' " said a woman, one of those 15, after seeing the photo Monday in Scott County District Court, referring to the popular television series about criminal investigations.

"I knew it wouldn't be easy and there would be pictures. It will be very upsetting."
http://www.dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060124/NEWS01/601240356

Aid helps Gage family attend trial in Davenport

Friends and strangers have pitched in to help Jetseta Gage's family attend the trial of the man accused of kidnapping and murdering the Cedar Rapids girl.

Change of venue cases are uncommon, and they can put a financial burden on relatives who want to attend the trial, advocates said.

"There will be eight or so family members there the whole week," said Emily Blomme, program coordinator of the Survivors of Homicide Victims Support Group. Jetseta's mother, Trena, and grandmother, Teresa, were living with the girl when she was abducted March 24.

The It Happened to Alexa Foundation, which provides support to rape survivors, will pay for one hotel room in Davenport for the duration of the trial, expected to last six to eight days, Blomme said. The hotel donated a second room, she said.
http://www.dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060122/NEWS01/601220333

 

[mysteriew]

Attorneys are inching closer to choosing a jury in the trial of Roger Bentley, a convicted sex offender accused of raping and killing a 10-year-old girl.

At noon, District Judge Patrick Grady asked 37 potential jurors to remain, including a law enforcement officer and former human service employee. The court has interviewed 69 people over three days.

Attorneys want a 40-person pool they can whittle this afternoon to a 12-member jury with two alternates. Opening statements may occur later today.

The prosecutor and defense attorneys argued this morning whether to dismiss a park ranger who used to be a drug officer.
http://www.dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060125/NEWS01/60125007/1001

Finding a jury of people who say they can give Roger Bentley a fair trial on kidnapping and murder charges is proving a challenge.

Lawyers dismissed eight consecutive prospective jurors after lunch Tuesday because they either knew too much about the case or said they believed Bentley abducted and killed Jetseta Gage, 10, of Cedar Rapids.

"One third of me says he isn't guilty, but two-thirds says he is," said a retired man who was dismissed.
http://www.dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060125/NEWS01/601250352

 

[mysteriew]

Guilty
http://www.dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060131/NEWS01/60131007/1001&lead=1

http://www.gazetteonline.com/2006/01/31/Home/bentleyverdict.htm

 

[mysteriew]

http://www.kcci.com/news/6633647/detail.html

 

[PonderingThings]

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2006/01/27/news/regional/efc7126473aaa0ba8625710300423fe2.txt

A good summary of the disappearance, seach, and collected evidence.

 

[PonderingThings]

http://www.woi-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4554208&nav=1LFX


KALONA, Iowa Johnson County authorities are investigating a fire early this morning that destroyed the trailer where the body of 10-year-old Jetseta Gage was discovered last March.

Tire tracks leading up to the trailer were found, and investigators say they are looking into the possibility of arson. The fire is thought to have started around 12:30 this morning.

Roger Bentley, of Brandon, was sentenced to life in prison Friday following his conviction last month in the abduction and murder of the Cedar Rapids girl.

Authorities following up on a tip from neighbors found the 38-year-old Bentley at the run-down mobile home outside Iowa City the morning after Gage was reported missing. Her body was discovered inside the trailer a short time later.

 

[PrayersForMaura]

Memorial for Jetseta Gage removed

IOWA CITY (AP) --- A roadside memorial honoring 10-year-old Jetseta Gage, the Cedar Rapids girl killed by a sex offender nearly a year ago, has been removed.

Family members placed a 6-foot cross -- adorned with flowers, ribbons and stuffed animals -- near the rundown mobile home about 15 miles southwest of Iowa City where the girl's body was found on March 25, 2005.

...Trena Gage, Jetseta's mother, said she was not aware the memorial had been removed until a reporter from the Iowa City Press-Citizen phoned her.

"It's going to make our family mad," she said.


More: http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2006/03/06/news/breaking_news/doc440c0d4bc946e706701503.txt

 

[PrayersForMaura]

Memorial for Jetseta Gage removed

IOWA CITY (AP) --- A roadside memorial honoring 10-year-old Jetseta Gage, the Cedar Rapids girl killed by a sex offender nearly a year ago, has been removed.

Family members placed a 6-foot cross -- adorned with flowers, ribbons and stuffed animals -- near the rundown mobile home about 15 miles southwest of Iowa City where the girl's body was found on March 25, 2005.

...Trena Gage, Jetseta's mother, said she was not aware the memorial had been removed until a reporter from the Iowa City Press-Citizen phoned her.

"It's going to make our family mad," she said.


More: http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/...6e706701503.txt

 

[Bobbisangel]

It seems to me that Fran Christianson should keep her nose in her own business. If that memorial bothered her she should have looked the other way but she shouldn't have been speaking for the whole town.

Many family and friends set up a memorial of sorts in the place where their loved one was murdered or found. I think it helps the family and friends to heal. I don't see anything wrong with having a reminder of what happened. If I see a cross on the side of the road it reminds me to slow down because someone probably died there in a traffic accident. Seeing a cross, flowers, etc in other places reminds me that someone lost their life and how careful we all need to be.

 

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

DesMoinesRegister.com

Lawyers argued Wednesday before the Iowa Supreme Court the question of whether a videotaped interview of 10-year-old Jetseta Gage, who months later was murdered at the hands of her accused molester's brother, can be used in trial.

An opinion from the court is expected in two to three months.

The decision will weigh heavily in evidence against James Bentley, 35, who was charged with sexual abuse in December 2004 for repeatedly molesting Jetseta. The Cedar Rapids girl was abducted and murdered three months later by James Bentley's brother Roger Bentley, who is serving a life sentence for the crime...

A judge last year ruled the taped 40-minute exchange between Jetseta and a child protection worker is inadmissible because it violates Bentley's right to confront his accuser...

Though Bentley will spend the rest of his life in prison, Slight said his coming trial is anything but moot, as she wants Bentley "on a tightrope" for all of the allegations against him - and to ensure the judicial system does what she believes is the right thing.

"Jetseta is not the only child this has happened to," she said. "What kind of message are we sending to predators? It's saying if you molest a child, kill them, and you'll get off."

 

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

DesMoinesRegister.com

James Bentley was sentenced to 100 years in (federal) prison Tuesday for taking sexually explicit photos of Jetseta Gage and 1-year-old girl...

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Berry had sought 120 years, the maximum of the charges if they were served consecutively. There is no parole in the federal system...

 

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

Radio Iowa: Jetseta Gage's mother reveals new details of case against Bentley

Trena Gage-Bakeoven shared details of the case that have not previously been made public.

For example, she said the 10-month-old who was in the pictures was her other daughter and that Jetseta became suicidal and sometimes struck out at others because Bentley was abusing her. She also said the photos at the center of this federal case documented Bentley's "revolting behavior" with her two daughters...

 

[Elphaba]

At times like this, the issue of executing sexual offenders of this magnitude, I think, should be permitable. I know some people view such actions as harsh, but as I see it, this man and people like him go well past the aspect of deviancy... they are plain evil.