[newgeezer]

This trial has been delayed many, many times. The previous three or four rulings said the videotaped testimony IS admissable. Now, the defense finally found a judge to rule in their favor.

While James Bentley was awaiting trial on these sexual abuse charges, his brother Roger Bentley kidnapped, raped, and murdered their victim. Since the kidnapping and rape carried a mandatory sentence of life without parole, he had everything to gain and nothing to lose in murdering their victim; since the Dems have made sure Iowa doesn't have the death penalty, the murder conviction added nothing to Roger Bentley's sentence.

So, Roger Bentley's murder of Jetseta Gage has proven beneficial thusfar. His brother James Bentley's accuser will not show up at the trial.

[apackof2]

the video violates his client's right to confront his accuser.

I thought this didn't pertain to minor children?

[brytlea]

This makes me ill. However, I have a solution. We need to pass a law that judges who make idiot decisions like this should be forever responsible for folks like Gage. In fact, I vote that we handcuff them together for the rest of their lives.
susie

[DTogo]

Both crimes worthy of cruel and unusual punishment!! Vlad "Tepes" (the impailer) Dracula (1431 - 1476)

[weegee]

This is bogus. How does one "cross exam" a convenience store video camera?

If she had written a diary, would that have been admissible?

The brothers didn't want a witness alive who could testify. This rewards evil.

[TheBattman]

This just demonstrates the sad state of our "legal system" today. I can understand the "right" to confront your accuser - but when your own stinking brother kidnapped said accuser, raped her, and murdered her....that kind of screws that up, now doesn't it...?

So basically, if you commit a crime, just have a relative kill the accuser before they can testify (even if they have a videotaped testimony). You then get off unless you left a bundle of evidence...

[Iowa Granny]

This just makes me want to SCREAM!

If there is a more important reason to vote Nussle, I don't know what it is. We've got to bring some common sense and reason to our court system.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

How is a sincere criminal, trying hard, going to get ahead in his profession if his victim fails to cooperate? Almost all crime depends on the cooperation of the victim. If the victim refuses his assigned role, the criminal is placed at a disadvantage, one so severe that it usually takes an understanding and compassionate judge to set right.

Robert Anson Heinlein