Judge questions Sievers attorney qualifications

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Mark Sievers, the Bonita Springs man accused of plotting to kill his wife in a high-profile murder case, could soon have a new attorney.

Judge Bruce Kyle expressed concern during a case management hearing Thursday that defense attorney Michael Mummert isn’t qualified to represent clients who face the death penalty. The state attorney’s office intends to seek the death penalty for Sievers and co-defendant Jimmy Rodgers if they’re convicted on first-degree murder charges in the May 2015 bludgeoning death of Dr. Teresa Sievers.

Mummert and partner Antonio Faga have only handled three murder cases combined. Of those three, only two went to trial.

Kyle sounded angry as he said during the hearing that Mummert didn’t comply with rules and didn’t let him know in a reasonable amount of time whether he had the requisite qualifications to represent Sievers.

Still, Sievers told the judge he wants Mummert and Faga to continue to serve as his lawyers, and they made a motion to remain in that role. Kyle warned Sievers that if he keeps them, he wouldn’t be allowed to use their inexperience to overturn a conviction.

Kyle has expressed support for the idea of Mummert and Faga remaining on the case if they bring on other attorneys who would take over the lead role. Mummert and Faga have reached out to other attorneys who could serve in that capacity.

Investigators believe Sievers, who has pleaded not guilty, planned the killing and promised Wayne Wright, his childhood friend, payment for carrying out the plan.

Wright accepted a plea deal and is expected to testify against Rodgers, his close friend, and Mark Sievers.

Rodgers, who prosecutors say traveled from Missouri to Florida to carry out the killing, also appeared in court Thursday. His attorneys said they’re still reviewing evidence and don’t expect to start interviewing witnesses until next year.

The next hearing in the Sievers case is set for October.