UPDATE (2:30 PM) -- Following lunch, the defense called Mayra Simmons to the stand. Simmons previously worked as an analyst for the Lee County Sheriff's Office.
Lyon is identifying a life insurance policy for Teresa Sievers. For that policy, the beneficiaries are Mark Sievers, and one of their daughters.
— Sandra Rodriguez (@SandraR_media) December 3, 2019
Lyons says she did not believe Teresa or Mark Sievers had sufficient life insurance.
— Sandra Rodriguez (@SandraR_media) December 3, 2019
Emotionally, Lyons says she thinks Teresa was a wonderful person and believed she would be very successful. So for that reason, Lyons believed Teresa needed more life insurance.
Lyons says a $2.5 million dollar insurance policy was put towards Teresa's irrevocable trust.
— Sandra Rodriguez (@SandraR_media) December 3, 2019
Lyons says she met Teresa and Mark Sievers through a friend.
— Sandra Rodriguez (@SandraR_media) December 3, 2019
Lyons was their estate planner.
Lyons identified Teresa Sievers's "trust agreement" that lists Mark Sievers as the trustee.
The state is now questioning.
— Sandra Rodriguez (@SandraR_media) December 3, 2019
State questioned Wright about 'coded messages' sent between him and Mark Sievers.
One of those messages was from Wright to Mark sending him condolences for Teresa's death.
Wright said there were real feelings there but it was a cover-up.
In another text, Wright said Mark Sievers's brother had informed him about Teresa Sievers's murder.
— Sandra Rodriguez (@SandraR_media) December 3, 2019
After her testimony, Curtis Wright was called back to the stand.
The defense is now calling Curtis Wayne Wright to the stand. pic.twitter.com/H91a83MKwk
— Sandra Rodriguez (@SandraR_media) December 3, 2019
Mummert asked Wright if he and Mark had a close relationship.
— Sandra Rodriguez (@SandraR_media) December 3, 2019
Wright replied, yes.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE (11:20 AM) -- Court has resumed. Judge Kyle says he will sustain the state's objection to the video in question.
Kimberly Van Waus, a crime scene tech, is now on the stand.
Without the presence of the jury, defense attorney Michael Mummert is questioning Van Waus on some records that the defense wants to admit as evidence.
— Sandra Rodriguez (@SandraR_media) December 3, 2019
---------------------------------------------
UPDATE (10:40 AM) -- The defense is now re-calling Lt. Michael Downs, from the Lee County Sheriff's Office, to the stand.
The state says this video is not real-time, and it does not contradict the statements made by Lt. Downs or Shoemaker so it is not necessary to show to the jury.
— Sandra Rodriguez (@SandraR_media) December 3, 2019
Defense argues it is still helpful to show to the jury so they can see what environment the jumpsuit was collected in.
--------------------------------------------------
UPDATE (10:25 AM) -- The next witness is Lt. David Lebid, from the Lee County Sheriff's office. Lt. Lebid is one of the detectives that traveled to Missouri after receiving the initial lead in the case. He is also one of the detectives that recovered evidence in Missouri.
Lt. Lebid says he did speak to Angie Wright but they didn't find out about the prepaid phone until after that conversation.
— Sandra Rodriguez (@SandraR_media) December 3, 2019
Mummert asked how detectives found out about the phone. Lt. Lebid says he does not recall that detail.
-----------------------------------------
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The trial for Mark Sievers in the murder of his wife Teresa got off to a late start Tuesday morning, with questioning beginning after 10 a.m.
With the state resting its case Monday, the defense began with its witnesses today. The defense did say they will be recalling Curtis Wayne Wright to the stand.
Before questioning began, one juror was brought in for questioning. Apparently, this juror told one of the bailiffs that he had noticed that another juror was not paying attention. Judge asked him if he had spoken to that other juror and he said no, he just noticed it.
That other juror was then brought in for questioning. It appears to be the same juror that the court has had some issues with. Judge Kyle asked the juror if he is having trouble with his hearing aid. The juror said a bit but could still hear everything.
The first witness called to the stand was K.C. Stout, who previously testified in the case.
Stout was questioned by the defense on a report he created from the extraction done to Mark Sievers's cell phone.
— Sandra Rodriguez (@SandraR_media) December 3, 2019
He is already off the stand.
RELATED COVERAGE:
Tense moments during cross-examination of Curtis Wright
Will Thanksgiving break help or hurt prosecutors in Mark Sievers murder trial?
Friend of Teresa Sievers testifies about finding her dead body at her home
Curtis Wright takes the stand to testify in the Mark Sievers murder trial
Judge concerned about juror falling asleep in Sievers trial
Opening statements begin in Mark Sievers murder trial
Timeline of the Teresa Sievers murder case
Annie Lisa speaks out about the death of her sister, Teresa Sievers
Jury selection begins in the murder trial for Mark Sievers
Remembering murdered Bonita Springs doctor Teresa Sievers
Jury finds Jimmy Rodgers guilty of 2nd Degree Murder
Photos: Teresa Sievers crime scene (Graphic)
Rodgers' guilty verdict could impact Mark Sievers trial
Sievers children caught in the middle of a murder trial
Neighborhood was on edge in eight months before arrest of Mark Sievers
Sievers murder: New audio and video released
Curtis Wright takes the stand in trial of alleged accomplice Jimmy Rodgers