LCSO: Lehigh Acres shooting investigation underwayRock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine
lehigh acres LCSO: Lehigh Acres shooting investigation underway The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in Lehigh Acres early Saturday morning.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Cape Coral police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral early Saturday morning.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
lehigh acres LCSO: Lehigh Acres shooting investigation underway The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in Lehigh Acres early Saturday morning.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Cape Coral police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral early Saturday morning.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
Mark Sievers trial: Day 8 Today marks a milestone in the four-year quest for justice for murdered doctor, Teresa Sievers. The defense team for her husband, Mark Sievers, who is accused of orchestrating her killing, will call witnesses today. If Sievers were to testify, he would be their last witness, but the defense is going to have an uphill battle to fight inside of the courtroom after Monday’s bombshell testimony from several witnesses. “Panicked and paranoid.” That’s the picture Bethany Mitchell painted of Mark Sievers to the jury, saying he acted off in the weeks following his wife’s murder. And she wasn’t the only one who pointed out his odd behavior. The Siever’s former neighbor shared information that really shed a light on their relationship, insinuating that Teresa was ready to leave her husband. “It was continuous and then right after that we went inside and started dinner. She [Teresa] said ‘I’m tired of this crap, I’m leaving,'” said former neighbor, Kimberly Torres. The defense says they only have seven witnesses to call to the stand, which means we could see this wrap up before the end of the week. The morning began with concern from a juror, but that was quickly dismissed. Scroll down to watch the Day 8 testimony, read more on the witnesses and follow along with us on Twitter. WATCH TESTIMONY FROM INSIDE THE COURTROOM WARNING: This video may include graphic content that may be disturbing to some viewers. NOTE: During a court recess, you will see a state of Florida seal. Witness #37: Casey Stout, LCSO Digital Forensics Unit Supervisor Sievers’ attorney called Stout to the stand first. He did a digital extraction on Mark’s cell phone. Mark Sievers defense team just called their first witness. He’s a digital forensics unit supervisor with Lee County who did an extraction report on Mark Sievers cell. #SieversTrial @winknews pic.twitter.com/lThiJNfKPq — Brooke Shafer (@BrookeShaferTV) December 3, 2019 He’s back with a filtered report of that extraction showing just communication between Mark and Curtis Wayne Wright. That was entered into evidence and no further questions were asked by the Defense. Witness #38: Lt. David Lebid, LCSO Lebid was called to the stand during the State’s questioning as well. That was quick. First witness for the defense is done. Next up Lt. Lebid with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. In openings, the defense claimed Lebid worked to make the narrative stick that Mark Sievers plotted his wife’s murder. Guessing they’ll go after him about this again. — Brooke Shafer (@BrookeWINKNews) December 3, 2019 Sievers’ attorney asked him more questions about his suspicions about Angela Wright, Curtis Wayne Wright’s wife. Lebid testified he believed Angela was involved in Teresa’s murder. Why did he think this? “Prior experience working cases”. The defense questioned about Angela also owning a prepaid phone. We’ve heard testimony from State witnesses that Mark and Curtis purchased prepaid phones in the weeks before Teresa’s murder. That’s a major point in the State’s case. There was some back-and-forth questioning about Angela’s involvement. Lebid said their investigation concluded she never went to Florida and was not involved in the homicide. Witness #39: Lt. Michael Downs, LCSO Lt. Downs is called to the stand and the defense begins by showing the video of Taylor Shomaker, Jimmy Rodgers’ ex-girlfriend, leading LCSO detectives to the blue jumpsuit on the side of the road in Missouri. It’s a reenactment. The jury is not in the room now. Attorneys and detective on stand just watched a video taken of Jimmy Rodgers’ ex showing det. the jumpsuit investigators say he wore during murder. Shomaker says he needed to toss the jumpsuit “because he murdered someone”. #SieversTrial @winknews pic.twitter.com/l6lMyEnBGB — Brooke Shafer (@BrookeShaferTV) December 3, 2019 At this point, the State argued that the video is not admissible. Judge Bruce Kyle sustained the objection, saying the jury will not see this. Witness #40: Kimberly Van Waus, LCSO Crime Scene Technician Van Waus is called to the stand next. She collected evidence from the Sievers’ home and Wright’s rental car. Sievers’ attorney began by questioning Van Waus about a shredded insurance document for Teresa that she found in the Sievers’ home. Jurors were shown this document found in the shredder of the Sievers’ home. The witness on the stand currently is a crime scene tech. You can see it’s disability insurance through Met Life for Teresa Sievers. #SieversTrial @winknews pic.twitter.com/IelIkjRKa4 — Brooke Shafer (@BrookeShaferTV) December 3, 2019 Next, Van Waus was questioned about the pictures she took inside the Sievers’ home. One showed dog bowls and the hammer on the floor. Another is a picture of the fridge with blood spatter on it. The next picture for the jury, a picture of a dog bowl inside the Sievers’ home. This is what Curtis Wright testified he accidentally kicked moments before the murder. The murder weapon, a hammer, is seen in the top right corner. #SieversTrial @winknews pic.twitter.com/dQ2PWZKVdU — Brooke Shafer (@BrookeShaferTV) December 3, 2019 Here's the picture with blood spatter on the fridge. https://t.co/5ZfU1pKgQ9 — Taylor Petras (@TaylorPetras) December 3, 2019 Following Van Waus’ questioning, the court took a break for lunch. The defense told Judge Kyle their next witness will be Curtis Wayne Wright—Mark’s former best friend who testified that he killed Teresa with Rodgers. Witness #41: Myra Simmons, retired from LCSO Following a lunch break, the defense called Simmons to the stand. She analyzed cell phone data in the case. Sievers’ attorney asked her about Angel Wright’s personal and burner phones. A map shows that her burner phone pings only showed in Missouri, not Florida. The defense is again bringing up Curtis Wright’s wife, Angela. Now showing jurors this graphic of cell pings that include Angela Wright’s burner phone. These pings are in Missouri not Florida. Investigators say Angela Wright was never in FL at time of murder. #SieversTrial pic.twitter.com/OzcsSwrW2F — Brooke Shafer (@BrookeShaferTV) December 3, 2019 The State then questioned Simmons about the phone. She said that phone wasn’t activated until the end of June and didn’t ping in Southwest Florida. Witness #42: Curtis Wayne Wright Wright is back in the courtroom after testifying as one of the State’s witnesses as well as in Jimmy Rodgers’ trial. He is the former best friend of Mark who confessed to killing Teresa. https://twitter.com/BrookeWINKNews/status/1201939504036118528 The defense started off by asking him about a conversation he had with Mark about their payment agreement for doing computer work at the Sievers’ medical practice. Defense transitions to a different text conversation between Sievers and Wright. “What should I wear to your wedding no not Angie's panties again” "Do you recall a text like that from Mr. Sievers?" -Mummert "No, but it doesn't surprise me ." -Wright @winknews — Taylor Petras (@TaylorPetras) December 3, 2019 Some rather interesting text messages were put up on the screen for jurors to see. One of the tests from Wright to Mark read, “You are NOT sleeping with us!” “Us” being Wright and his soon-to-be new wife, Angela. After a relevance objection from the State, Sievers’ attorney moved on to another conversation between the two about computer work. The defense showed the text Wright sent to Mark the day after Teresa was found murdered. Wright said he remembered sending it. Here’s the text from Wright to Mark Sievers two days after Teresa Sievers was murdered. Wright: “I just talked to Scott and he told me what happened. I am so sorry.” #SieversTrial @winknews pic.twitter.com/g083TOjiGj — Brooke Shafer (@BrookeShaferTV) December 3, 2019 Wright said one of the text messages from Mark about computer work was actually referring to him getting rid of his burner phone. With a rather quick testimony, only about 30 minutes, the defense finished questioning Wright. The defense did not mention his wife Angie as they did to other witnesses earlier. Instead, they ended questioning looking to poke holes in some of Wright’s testimony. He and Mark didn’t make eye contact as he is escorted from the courtroom. Witness #43: Dr. Mark Petrites After a quick recess, Dr. Petrites is called to the stand. He is the one who found Teresa’s body. Dr. Mark Petrites is now on the stand. Defense pointed out that he’s known Mark Sievers to carry more than one phone. pic.twitter.com/Oof8pTTZk9 — Brooke Shafer (@BrookeShaferTV) December 3, 2019 Defense for Mark pointed out that Petrites sat through the entire Jimmy Rodgers trial once he was released as a witness. Then, asked if Teresa ever asked him to come by and check on her if she was alone. Petrites said that happened once. They also pointed out that Petrites has known Mark to carry more than one cell phone. That was all for the defense. Submit Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.