Judge denies request for new trial for convicted killer Mark Sievers

Convicted killer Mark Sievers was in court Wednesday morning requesting a new trial from Judge Bruce Kyle. Judge Kyle ultimately decided all motions for a new trial request would be dismissed and there would be no new trial.

Mark Sievers’ mom and step-mom exchanged a quick hug outside the courtroom after a judge decided the convicted killer will not get a new trial. The defense argued new evidence found after the trial contradicted key witness testimony.

They argued Dr. Mark Petrites, the man who first found the victim dead in her family’s home, is questionable due to the letter written by Petrites’ wife.

MORE: Mark Sievers’ lawyers request new trial, say letter contradicts testimony

The two-page letter was found after the recent trial and death penalty sentence for the convicted killer. It’s dated August 2015, and it’s central to the defense’s request for Mark Sievers to receive a new trial.

Stepmother has a ‘gut feeling’ Mark Sievers is innocent

Mark Sievers’ stepmother calls it a gut feeling. She firmly believes her step-son is innocent in the murder of Dr. Teresa Sievers.

“This is just not Mark and I thought all along… that the evidence, that he didn’t need evidence,” Jennie Weckelman said. “That there was no evidence except for Curtis Wayne Wright and his words and I’ll admit he’s very convincing. But most pathological liars are. They’re very practiced.”

Weckelman sat down with WINK News moments after a judge denied her step-son’s request for a new trial. Even behind bars, Weckelman said Mark Sievers is “optimistic” and maintains he did not have his wife murdered.

“It seems that there was, I guess, a rush to judgment on a lot of people’s side,” Weckelman said. “It was just easier to believe that the husband would do it than some random fellow.”

Also, the Sievers’ two daughters are severely impacted by the incident. Weckelman said they have not spoken to their dad recently, despite Mark Sievers calling them each night from prison.

“It’s strangled the whole relationship,” Weckelman said. “He’s devastated. His girls were his world.”

Burner phone records and the testimony of Mark Sievers’ confessed accomplice helped a jury convict him in the murder of his wife, Dr. Teresa Sievers. Despite that, Weckelman still stands by his side.

Watch a full video from inside the courtroom: