Opening statements begin in Wisner Desmaret’s death penalty trial

Five years after the shooting death of Fort Myers police officer Adam Jobbers-Miller—following multiple lawyers, competency hearings and the dismissal of potential jurors—his accused killer Wisner Desmaret is set to start his trial.

On Monday, opening statements start in Desmaret’s trial. In 2018, the Fort Myers Police Department arrested him after it says Desmaret shot Jobbers-Miller in the head.

Shellie Desmaret says her brother is not competent to represent himself in this trial, especially because he could face the death penalty. Desmaret has had multiple deputies accompany him into the courtroom due to his outbursts. Doctors had to rule him competent in order for him to represent himself in this trial.

Multiple witnesses including EMS and hospital workers said Desmaret told them he shot a cop, but Desmaret denied that.

Jurors also heard from Jobber Millers’ partners, other officers on the scene who stepped up to help and make sure the public was safe.

But, the shocking moment in the courtroom was when one of the witnesses told the jury that Desmaret said I should have shot all of you, mere moments after getting taken down.

“sat up from his gurney looked at Officer Miller and said yes ***** *** ************ should’ve left me alone everyone is going to know I killed a cop,” Officer Marshella said.

“I don’t attack womens I don’t even attack mens,” Desmaret responded.

All last week, during the jury selection process, Desmaret asked the pool of potential jurors bizarre questions about witchcraft and sexual orientation rather than focusing on their thoughts about the death penalty.

Shellie Desmaret says what we saw and heard in the courtroom is what her family sees every day.

“We have, you know, conversations where he may seem OK; the next conversation, like, he’s talking some off-the-chart stuff like he… he’s not here,” Shellie said. “You see it right in front of your eyes. You can see talking to someone that doesn’t comprehend. I don’t feel like he’s able to represent himself.”

“I’m just waiting on to see what the state… what they got going on,” Desmaret said last week.

The judge had to dismiss three jurors for discussing the case.

“I came up on top and I won, that cop should have left me alone,” Demaret said. “He looked over at myself and another officer and told us I’ll shoot y’all too, **** everyone here is gonna know I killed **** cop.”

At one point on Monday, while the prosecution presented its case, Desmaret asked Judge Robert Branning if there were any witnesses on his behalf, to which the judge replied, “I don’t know.”

Judge Branning said this trial could last three weeks.