News : Samantha Bevans Sentenced to Life in Prison

Samantha Bevans was found guilty of First Degree murder in the death of her stepmother Jodie Bevans. Sentencing was held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 14. The Judge sentenced her to life in prison without a chance of parole and ordered her to pay $150,000 in restitution to the beneficiaries of Jodie Bevans.

As the hearing opened, lawyers for Samantha tried to make the case for a retrial. The prosecutor argued the claims mentioned and the judge determined that trial was conducted properly and the conviction would stand.

The prosecutor also made a statement concerning the loss of Jodie Bevans and how this loss affected the community. During this time Samantha could be seen smiling at the ceiling.

Samantha was given an opportunity to speak. Not showing any remorse, she said that she missed and loved Jodie very much and that she's sorry that she will never be here again. She said that she will cherish memories of her as well. She asked for the family's forgiveness before launching into a speech complete with odd facial expressions and words that didn't match reality. An attempt to bring real tears also failed. She then launching into a sermonette attempting to wax eloquent, she ended it with an amen. But her words fell on deaf ears.

Several victim impact statements on behalf of Jodie were shared expressing the deep grief that her family had felt since the day that their mother was found murdered in her own bed. Her son spoke and said in part, "She's the one that taught me the real meaning of family. She taught me how to truly love someone. Not just the good in someone, but their faults as well. Mom was always helping people. Then this unthinkable horror happened. Hands that she once held so many times over the years took away her last breath." He cited the theatrics that Samantha played in court saying that she tried to make it sound like she was the victim. Looking at Samantha, he addressed her. "Samantha, you aren't the victim. My mom, Jodie Ellen Bevans was the victim. And in turn, we're all victims. Me, my children, my siblings, my nieces and nephews, all of my mom's grandchildren, her husband, Desi, my grandpa, my aunt, my cousins, we're all victims. It makes me ask the question, 'What's the point of helping people?' This is a complete tragedy in itself because that's not what mom stood for.

It's been 701 days since Samantha planned and ultimately killed my mother in cold blood. 701 days of trying to hold back tears, anger and sadness. But today, we as a family can finally turn the last page of what has been the worst chapter of our lives. Today, we can finally start to try to move forward.'

Another spoke. "Jodie was the purest soul I had ever known. She contributed so much good to this world with her kindness, loving personality and constant desire to help others. She had a naturally calming presence and a heart full of forgiveness. She was a shining light in this world and a beacon of kindness to friends and family. That was the life she chose. We will never see that light again because of you Sam.

There is no good in what you have done. Not only have you taken a precious life from this world, but you have caused pain and suffering in the only people who cared about you."

She continued looking at Samantha, "you will be right where you belong. Your freedom has been revoked. You won't be able to do anything as simple as locking or unlocking a door again, that will be done for you. You won't be there when your children graduate or get married. Your grandchildren will never get to know you. You will miss it all. You will fade into obscurity. and will rarely be spoken about in conversation because of the horrors you have committed. Your actions are incomprehensible, unforgivable and monstrous. We will visit her (Jodie) and bring her flowers and carry on her memory. the same cannot be said about you.

I can't imagine what you put Jodie through that night. But you can. I hope every time you close your eyes, you can't help but think of that night and the choices you made to be where you are.

We will never be able to move on from this. We are forced to find a new normal, and move on with it with Jodie in our hearts.

You wake up from a nightmare, not wake up to one which is what we've done and what you've made your family do since July 16th of 2022, the morning after finding her. You have robbed your family of life as we knew it and still take no accountability. We will begin to heal from this pain and suffering, but yours has only just begun.'"

A third statement was read, and said in part, "Why would you do this? Did you actually think that you would get away with it? Did you think about Dad, your kids, your siblings finding her like that? Or were you just too high at the moment? Did you think about all the consequences for all of us or the impact this would have on our whole family? She loved you. Why would you do this?

All you have now is life in prison. You will forever be known as a murderer and a liar. I never ever could have possibly thought that you could do something so horrible until I saw your testimony and lies. Absolutely no remorse and no tears.

I never thought this could happen to our family or that you could be so evil. Every time your cell door slams shut, I hope you see her face. I hope it haunts you until you die alone having no one to talk to and no one to turn to. May it be a constant reminder of what you did.

Death is final. Did you look her in the eyes? How long did she suffer? How long did she beg you to stop while you got your two cents in? What were her last words? Did you think of all the sleepless nights that dad would cry himself to sleep losing the love of his life? All you do is lie. You can't even tell the truth for the sake of letting us all know what really happened. The closure we need. Just lies on top of lies. You are not a victim in this, you are just a pure evil soul. You never asked how your own kids are, you're just selfish. The Samantha that sits here now, today will always be known as a murderer."

Another of her sisters also sent a letter to be read on her behalf.

"To the Honorable Judge Kapros," it began. I'm not here today because I'm out of town watching my daughter play in the state softball tournament. I do however want to give a voice to Jodie Bevans.

Jodie was my stepmom and also wife, sister, daughter, mother and grandmother who loved life and loved her family. She was a nurse and not only loved helping people, but she was an advocate for her patients.

On the night of July 14, 2022, I entered the bedroom and discovered her lifeless body, I immediately turned and pushed my dad out of the room so he didn't have to witness what I saw. We finally left somewhere around two in the morning and took my dad and family to our house to get the kids to bed. After getting my dad set up to sleep on the couch, I tried to go to sleep.

When I closed my eyes, all I could see was Jodie's body and I could not sleep. I also heard my name dad weeping loudly as he lost his wife and the life that he once knew had drastically changed."

She went on to explain that the children were now afraid to sleep for fear that they would be harmed next. They experience PTSD and other issues including reoccurring graphic nightmares where they being harmed. She stated, "Because of your actions, my kids are traumatized."

"Because of Sam's actions, I am tormented by what Jodie went through and how scared she must've been that night all alone fighting for her life against two monsters. This is a burden I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

"Did she see you coming? Or did you surprise her in what was supposed to be a safe place, her bed. Did she scream out for help or was she paralyzed by fear? Did she beg you to stop? Did you threaten her just to get the key to the safe? What were her last words? Will you ever tell us the actual truth? Do you know the answers to these questions or were you too caught up in the thrill of the kill?

I'm here today for Jodie and to get justice for Jodie, but justice doesn't bring Jodie back. It doesn't allow us to talk to her, ask her advice or hear her happy little giggle again." She continued, "For us, justice does not exist and closure does not exist. It feels like peace and understanding will never come. Justice does, however, put this cold-blooded killer away for good.

Jodie was the one person that was Sam's biggest cheerleader. She wanted her to succeed while we all had our doubts." The reader of this letter held up a card that Jodie had written to Samantha. It read, "Sam I want you to know I am proud of you. You are doing a great job of becoming your best you."

The letter continued, "We are all safer knowing that this criminal will die in prison."

Another addressed Samantha naming each of her children and telling her that she did nothing to protect them but instead hurt them. She did nothing to protect them from the horrors that they saw that night and from the feelings that they now feel.

Following the statements and the judge's summary of the statements, Bevans left the courtroom with a smile on her face.

Tacoa Talley, the boyfriend of Samantha Bevans was also found guilty of First Degree Murder and was sentenced to life in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $150,000. He is currently serving time in the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison, Iowa.