Manslaughter trial begins Wednesday

    The trial of Ainsworth resident Lori Jo Bean began Wednesday afternoon. Bean is on trial for manslaughter in connection to the death of 78-year-old Joye L. Gentzler in 2008. Gentzler was a dependent adult who was staying with Lori and Rodney ?Joe? Bean at 3294 Old White Way in Ainsworth at the time of her death on Feb. 27, 2008.

    District Attorney Barbara Edmondson represents the state in the case, and called four witnesses to the stand Wednesday. The state?s first witness was Susan (Chance) Reynolds, who worked at the Washington Family Medical Clinic in 2006 as a nurse practictioner. Reynolds met with Gentzler four times in 2006: twice in February, once in March and then one final time in May. On her first visit, Reynolds said that Gentzler complained of pain in her left shoulder, which had bothered her for two years.

    Reynolds ran a ?DEXA scan? and an X-ray of Gentzler?s left and right shoulders. A DEXA scan measures bone density and is usually used to diagnose osteoporosis. Reynolds said the results of the DEXA scan revealed Gentzler had osteoporosis. Reynolds then put Gentzler on Actonel, a drug used to treat osteoporosis. She also asked Gentzler to increase her calcium intake and to walk for exercise more often.

    At the time of the tests, Reynolds said she did not notice a fracture in either of Gentzler?s arms. Edmondson asked her if she noticed signs of Alzheimer?s or dementia in Gentzler, and Reynolds remarked that she did not, and if she had, she would have referred Gentzler to a neurologist. Reynolds said she has experience with Alzheimer?s, and that she has treated it in other patients.

    At their visits, Reynolds took Gentzler?s weight, fully clothed and wearing shoes. In February 2006, Gentzler weighed 124 pounds. When Reynolds weighed Gentzler again in May of that year, she weighed 130 pounds.

    Kevin Kleopfer was the next witness to testify on behalf of the prosecution. Kleopfer was a registered nurse and a medical investigator in Washington County from 2004 to 2008. Keopfer was asked to investigate Gentzler?s death at the Beans? home. He said he was there to find out if there was any ?foul play? that led to Gentzler?s death. He found Gentzler?s body in the living room, and said there was no walker or cane by Gentzler?s bed.

    Kleopfer said he spent most of his time talking to Joe, but that he also asked questions of Lori. He asked her how Gentzler took care of herself, and if she needed assistance going to the bathroom. Lori told him that she used the toilet independently, but that she assisted Gentzler with bathing and dressing. According to Kleopfer, Lori reported that Gentzler did not need help eating, that she was ambulatory, and that Gentzler had supper with the Beans the night before.    

For the full story, see the Dec. 2 edition of The Washington Evening Journal