Bean trial wraps up

    The trial of Ainsworth resident Lori Jo Bean came to a close Friday morning. The prosecution and defense attorneys gave closing arguments before lunch, after which the jury deliberated the facts of the case. Bean is on trial for manslaughter in connection to the death of 78-year-old Joye L. Gentzler, who died Feb. 27, 2008. Gentzler was a dependent adult who was staying with Lori and Rodney ?Joe? Bean in Ainsworth at the time.

    Washington County Attorney Barbara Edmondson represented the state in the case, and sought to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Bean was guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Bean was also charged with six other counts, namely three counts of dependent adult abuse, one count of second-degree theft, neglect of a dependent person and nonsupport of a dependent adult.

    Edmondson referenced the cause of death on Gentzler?s autopsy, which was listed as death from malnutrition and dehydration. Edmondson said she was not arguing that Lori intentionally starved Gentzler or that Lori concocted a plan to do so. In 2006, Gentzler met with various nurses. At those appointments, her weight was taken, which was usually between 120 and 130 pounds. When Gentzler died in February 2008, her estimated body weight was 70 pounds. Edmondson argued that Lori is culpable for what happened to Gentzler, given that she was Gentzler?s caretaker who was with her daily from the time Gentzler moved in with the Beans in December 2006 until her death 14 months later.

    ?Joye Gentzler?s life did not end because of natural causes, but because of the acts of her caretakers,? said Edmondson. ?Some weight loss may be expected in her circumstance, but this was extreme. Lori Bean cannot be excused for that ? No one can get as thin as Joye Gentzler without a reasonable caretaker saying ?enough is enough.??

    The Beans took advantage of Gentzler from their earliest interaction with her, said Edmondson. She said Lori was aware that Joe was exploiting the financial resources of Gentzler and her brother Bill Robuck, who died in December 2006. Edmondson cited the sale of real estate from Robuck and Gentzler to Joe in 2002. The fair market value of the property was about $80,000, but Robuck and Gentzler sold it to Joe for about $21,000.

    During the last few years of her life, Gentzler was not able to drive herself around, and relied on the Beans for transportation. Edmondson argued that Gentzler wanted and benefited from medical treatment, but stopped receiving treatment after she moved in with the Beans in late 2006.   

    Edmondson brought up Gentzler?s broken arm, for which she received no medical attention. She also said the bruising to Gentzler?s face and head were extensive at the time of her death.

    Defense Attorney Eric Tindal then rose from his seat to present his final arguments. Tindal spoke about the fact that Gentzler gave Joe power of attorney over her affairs in 2004. In her closing remarks, Edmondson said Joe?s power of attorney does not give him ?carte blanche? to do whatever he wants with Gentzler?s finances or her medical treatment. Tindal read from the document that established the power of attorney privilege, which said that the holder has full power over that person?s medical records and to consent to or refuse medical care on behalf of the person. Tindal argued that Lori reasonably believed that Joe had the authority to make the decisions he did.

Tindal also argued that Joe was controlling and that he yelled when he lost his temper. Tindal cited the testimony of Susan House, who said that Joe yelled when he visited Robuck and Gentzler at their apartment in Ainsworth, where Gentzler lived before moving in with the Beans.

?Is there any reason to believe Joe Bean reserved his venom for Bill and Joye?? asked Tindal. ?Would Lori Bean not also be a target? I suggest so.?

For the full story, see our Dec. 10 print edition.