The southeast Iowa man who was convicted in the slayings of five family members earlier this year won’t be profiting from the killings. A Van Buren District Court judge has ruled Shawn Bentler is not entitled to receive any of his parents’ estate.
Bentler was found guilty in May for the October 2006 shooting deaths of his parents, Michael and Sandra Bentler, and his three sisters, Sheena, Shelby and Shayné. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole, but has appealed the case.
The Bentler estate is estimated at $2.8 million in distributable assets. However, Iowa law prohibits convicted murderers from receiving any benefit from the murders, including inheritance by will. The judge also ruled Bentler is no longer entitled to an attorney to represent him at the expense of the estate.