Defense presents case in Bean trial

The JOURNAL

    The defense presented its case Thursday in the trial of Ainsworth resident Lori Jo Bean. 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.

    Defense Attorney Eric Tindal called Craig Davis to the stand. Davis is an attorney in Washington and works in the law firm of Lloyd, McConnell, Davis and Lujan. Davis testified that he drafted a real estate contract on behalf of Joe Bean in 2002. Gentzler and her brother Bill Robuck sold real estate to Joe for about $21,000.

    In his affidavit, Washington County Deputy Eric Holsapple wrote that the fair market value of that property was approximately $80,000.

    Tindal asked Davis if he had ever prepared a contract that was sold below fair market value. Davis said he had, and that in most cases there was a close relationship between the buyer and seller, such as that between a parent and child.

    Davis said there was no explanation of why $21,000 was chosen as the price, at least not in his documents.

    On cross-examination, Davis testified that he was not present when the contract was signed by the parties, and that this is not necessary for it to be enforceable. Davis said he never met Gentzler or Robuck. He also said that he never met Lori Bean. He was asked if he was aware of any history between Gentzler and the Beans, and he said he was not.

    The defense?s second witness was John Fullerton. Fullerton is a physician who works in San Francisco. He treats patients who are in assisted living care and a geriatric hospital. He said he had reviewed the depositions of several witnesses in the case and also Gentzler?s medical records.

    He testified about his knowledge of Alzheimer?s disease, which Gentzler was diagnosed with. In February 2006, public health nurse Justine Buckingham gave Gentzler a mental status exam, according to Buckingham?s testimony last week. The exam consists of 30 questions that seek to establish the patient?s cognitive abilities and his or her awareness of the world. Gentzler got 13 of the 30 questions correct, which are about such things as the person?s orientation to place (where they are) and time (what month it is).

For the full story, see the Dec. 9 edition of The Washington Evening Journal