Rodney Bean sentenced today

Ainsworth resident Rodney Lee ?Joe? Bean, age 52, will be sentenced this afternoon for committing involuntary manslaughter in connection to the death of 78-year-old Joye L. Gentzler, formerly of rural Ainsworth. Bean was convicted of the charge Sept. 22 by a Keokuk County jury. See the Nov. 11 edition for more coverage of this story. As soon as the sentence is delivered it will be published on the Washington Evening Journal?s Web site at www.washjrnl.com.

The Keokuk County jury also convicted Bean of six other counts: two counts of second-degree theft, neglect or abandonment of a dependent person, intentional dependent adult abuse causing serious injury, reckless dependent adult abuse causing serious injury and dependent adult abuse involving financial exploitation in excess of $100.

Washington County Attorney Larry Brock prosecuted the case, which was initially going to be held in Washington County. The defense asked that the trial be moved to another venue because Bean?s wife, Lori Jo Bean, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter relating to Gentzler?s death in December 2010.

The case began Monday, Sept. 12, and lasted eight days. The prosecution called 22 witnesses to testify. Brock said he called witnesses who testified about Gentzler?s condition before she moved in with the Beans in January 2007. Brock said he also called medical professionals who had contact with Gentzler.