Wisner Desmaret found guilty of murder; penalty phase begins Thursday

The verdict was announced in Wisner Desmaret’s death penalty trial on Wednesday just after 4:30 p.m.

Wisner Desmaret was found guilty of murder in the death of Fort Myers Police Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller.

On Wednesday, both sides in the death penalty trial of Wisner Desmaret, accused of killing Fort Myers Police Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller in 2018, gave closing arguments.

Wisner Desmaret acted as his own attorney in the death penalty trial. A trial only lasting three days.

Defeated, Desmaret could only hang his head hearing the jury read the verdict.

The final piece of evidence presented before the state rested its case was Adam Jobbers-Miller’s .40-caliber handgun. The prosecution asked the jury to picture how the bullets pierced through Jobbers-Miller’s brain and listen to it happen via body-camera footage. DNA experts testified for the prosecution, too, and images of the crime scene were shown.

After Wednesday, the penalty phase of the trial begins for Desmaret. That’s where the same jury will determine if he should get life in prison or be put to death.

Desmaret asked if he had to be present for the next part of the trial. The judge then let Desmaret know, in no uncertain terms, that it’s mandatory for Desmaret to be there.

Lee Hollander, Desmaret’s standby attorney, plans to file an appeal. Hollander raised concerns over competency on Tuesday. Hollander was denied when he asked the judge to revisit Desmaret’s competency. Hollander believes that could be grounds for an appeal.