Dr. Teresa Sievers Trial Discussion - Mark Sievers and Jimmy Rodgers

[SWFlorida]

And because of all the publicity in this area, people may know too much about the case already.

 

[AC's Grandma]

SCALEX Great observations....government workers, postal employees, or senior citizen /retired/disabled (thinking carpel tunnel surgery? ). And, with the assistance of Ms. Google, also found out you can draw "unemployment benefits" even if you are serving on a jury or required to be a witness. So, no additional hardship if you miss out on job hunting....sounds fair to me.

Sadly here in Florida unemployment doesn't pay enough to live. Their max weekly benefit is $275.

 

[Legally Bland]

I think this is the most recent copy of the jury questionnaire, I guess it could have changed again but this doesn't have nonsense about attitudes on sex addiction etc.

(5mb)

Jury Q 2.pdf

ETA source:
https://matrix.leeclerk.org/

 

[Scalex]

I'm semi local (Sarasota) and its either going to be retired, unemployed, or someone with a very lenient employer. If it was a month later, it would be snowbirds in the mix.... Most people cannot afford to miss 5 weeks of work.

Employers are required to allow it by law, so they don’t have much choice, but the payment while serving on a jury is much less than what I would assume an average resident would make in a week. Those unemployed will only get unemployment if they were already getting it, so no change for those. I agree with a lot of retired people. I know that I personally couldn’t afford to have no income for 4-5 weeks, that’s over $7000 in bills to pay. It will be interesting to see the turnout. I am going to assume it will end up in another county anyway, once they start questioning the jurors on previous case knowledge and prejudice.

 

[MsArk]

I’m a local and in my opinion, we have a lot of poverty here. A huge homeless community. The cost of living is high, and a large part of our community are self employed. We are also a tourism community and we are just getting back to season now. Most businesses struggle to stay open through the summer/fall.

Ok... I stand corrected. I have a family home in Naples so maybe that skewed my view.

 

[Scalex]

Sadly here in Florida unemployment doesn't pay enough to live. Their max weekly benefit is $275.

Exactly. And that’s not enough to cover anything when even the poor in lee county have a rent payment starting at $1200 a month and up.

 

[Scalex]

Ok... I stand corrected. I have a family home in Naples so maybe that skewed my view.

Yes, Naples is much more financially secure. This jury would be pooled from Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres and Cape Coral. I am very familiar with both Lee and Collier and a resident of both.

 

[IQuestion]

Employers are required to allow it by law, so they don’t have much choice, but the payment while serving on a jury is much less than what I would assume an average resident would make in a week. Those unemployed will only get unemployment if they were already getting it, so no change for those. I agree with a lot of retired people. I know that I personally couldn’t afford to have no income for 4-5 weeks, that’s over $7000 in bills to pay. It will be interesting to see the turnout. I am going to assume it will end up in another county anyway, once they start questioning the jurors on previous case knowledge and prejudice.

SCALEX, I forgot to say Welcome to Websleuths and this forum! (noticed you are relatively new) You are bringing up good conversation points. The "financial hardship" issues for jurors will always be a problem for cases lasting longer than two weeks. Sadly, the real financial hardships are going to be for the victim's family who no doubt would like to be present to support their loved one and the prosecution. The families may have to go through two trials of similar length. That is one of the reasons I was hoping JRR would take the plea of LWOP and then only MS's trial would be an issue. (I find MM's info/delivery "less than dynamic." insert yawning emogi.)
I am looking forward to the "lifelong bro's" playing "He said/He said" and throwing each other under the bus in front of a jury. I hope the camera stays fixed on MS's face as CWW tells his version of how MS approached him with his "fool-proof plan."

 

[Scalex]

SCALEX, I forgot to say Welcome to Websleuths and this forum! (noticed you are relatively new) You are bringing up good conversation points. The "financial hardship" issues for jurors will always be a problem for cases lasting longer than two weeks. Sadly, the real financial hardships are going to be for the victim's family who no doubt would like to be present to support their loved one and the prosecution. The families may have to go through two trials of similar length. That is one of the reasons I was hoping JRR would take the plea of LWOP and then only MS's trial would be an issue. (I find MM's info/delivery "less than dynamic." insert yawning emogi.)
I am looking forward to the "lifelong bro's" playing "He said/He said" and throwing each other under the bus in front of a jury. I hope the camera stays fixed on MS's face as CWW tells his version of how MS approached him with his "fool-proof plan."

I’ve read all of the threads on this case, and have been following along since the beginning. I’ve been a WS member for two years, and as a guest much before that. Typically podcasts were my thing, so I’m not an active commenter here. But thanks for sharing your views with me. I like to sit back and just read everything everyone has to say.

 

[Arachne 1]

Court TV

I have not seen any jury pooling on Court TV, probably because it is a tedious process. When a jury is finally selected, if even one juror objects to the cameras in their face, no jurors will be televised. Court TV respects the privacy of the jurors. We would have to take a trip to the court house, in order to read facial expressions or to see if we recognize any of the jurors, to see if they even really qualify as jurors.

Court TV will, however, oftentimes have interviews with lawyers, family, and friends involved with the case, or having knowledge of the case. They will masterfully interweave these interviews into their broadcast of the live trial, and we will not miss a thing. All of their anchors are top-of-line. After court is adjourned for the day, Court TV will continually highlight the case, and bring in knowledgeable lawyers to explain strategies and challenges in the case. Very interesting and exciting platform, allowing us to see how Justice really works!

I thank the powers that be for granting us this gift, especially to Websleuths, and their many talented posters so generous with their time and expertise.

Thank You.

 

[Arachne 1]

Court TV Live stream

This live stream will carry the Sievers case, when it begins:

https://www.courttv.com/title/court-tv-live-stream-web/

Your Front Row Seat to Justice

 

[Scalex]

They are down to 14 jurors out of 50. Those 14 were sent home to return tomorrow for more questions to see if they qualify. A second group of 47 is being brought in to ask if they have any financial hardship, or have any knowledge of the case, victim or the defendants.

 

[Arachne 1]

No space between court and TV in the address...sorry. Will try again:

https://www.courttv.com/title/court-tv-live-stream-web/

 

[Arachne 1]

No space between court and TV in the address...sorry. Will try again:

https://www.courttv.com/title/court-tv-live-stream-web/

 

[MsJosie]

No space between court and TV in the address...sorry. Will try again:

https://www.courttv.com/title/court-tv-live-stream-web/

Thanks this works! Having issues with Apple updates so was glad this loaded.

Thank you for the info!

 

[Scalex]

The second group of 47 potential jurors is down to 27, after 20 were released for potential financial hardship. They will now start questioning knowledge of the case or parties involved in the case.

That’s 14/50 and 27/47 left so far.

 

[Scalex]

18 of the 27 jurors left in the 2nd group of 47, said they have prior case knowledge. They will be questioned on their knowledge and whether they can remain fair.

 

[Scalex]

23 jurors total (14 from the first group and 9 from the second) have been sent home to come back tomorrow at 1:30pm. The rest (18 from the second group) are left to answer questions about their case knowledge.

 

[1&2&3]

After so many years, I wonder how many potential jurors with prior case knowledge, remember as much as those of us who have followed this case from day one?

I have to admit my memory isn’t as fresh as it was several years ago. However, if an instance is brought up, I bet I can fill in the pieces or immediately recognize an incorrect description.

The lawyers may try so hard to get people who have such little knowledge of this case, that the people aren’t the brightest to be sitting on a murder trial. Let’s hope this is not the case or a repeat of CA or OJ’s trials!

 

[Oregonmama]

I am so happy jurors are being picked... I have waited so long for justice for Teresa and her family.