Fort Myers Beach double murder trial begins

FORT MYERS, Fla.- A double murder trial is now underway in Lee County court. Michael Spiegel is accused of killing his ex-wife Marilyn and her fiance Harry Carlip in May 2014.

Their bodies were discovered on a boat at Salty Sam’s Marina on Fort Myers Beach.

Opening statements began around 9 a.m. Tuesday morning. The defense is arguing Michael Spiegel was in a psychotic state of mind and didn’t know right from wrong. Spiegel’s attorney says he thought he could rekindle the physical relationship with his wife when he went to her boat that day in May 2014.

A witness described hearing Marilyn’s screams for help and hearing gun shots.

A graphic 911 call was placed by Marilyn Spiegel moments before her life was taken.  The call was played in court, and was the only time Spiegel showed any type of emotion in the court room.

Detectives say when they arrested Spiegel near the crime scene, he had blood on him. They also say he had duct tape, zip ties, a knife covered in blood, a gun, a sex toy and sexual arousal medication.

The murders happened days before Marilyn Spiegel and Carlip were set to get married.

Court documents reveal family members say Michael Spiegel was verbally abusive to Marilyn when they were married.

The defense says Spiegel’s son and brother are expected to take the stand, as well as a doctor who they say will support their claim that Spiegel suffers from mental illness.