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Sam Penrod Reporting A former Utah Highway Patrol trooper is facing felony charges after he shot an unarmed robbery suspect this spring. Ed Bentely was one of several officers who had their guns drawn after the suspects robbed a Green River motel at gunpoint and led officers on a high speed chase.
Ed Bentley has pleaded not guilty to the felony charge of aggravated assault and his attorney says he is going to fight the charges in court.
It was a Sunday night in March when two men from Ohio, both of them with long criminal histories, robbed a Green River motel at gunpoint. They fled in a stolen car and led officers on a chase for more than 40 miles on Highway Six.
When the men were finally forced to stop, seven officers pulled their guns on the suspects, but Bentley shot John Gourno in the back as he was surrendering.
Gourno was seriously wounded, but has recovered.
Bentley's attorney says his client had a right to draw his weapon because it was a felony stop and calls what happened an accident, not a crime.
Greg Skordas, Defense Attorney: "He gave up his job because of the fact this was not a justified shooting, but that does not make it a crime. It was an accident and he's paid a price for that, but to say this is something he should serve prison time for is a bit extreme."
Bentley gave up his job as a Highway Patrol trooper after an internal investigation concluded neither suspect was armed when Gourno was shot.
As for the robbers, Audie Barnes was convicted of armed robbery and has been sentenced to five years to life in prison. The man who was shot, John Gourno, was sent back to Ohio where he is serving jail time for previous crimes.
Incidentally, Bentley is the mayor of Green River and is still serving in that capacity. His trial has been set for December.
