‘We just couldn’t put the hammer in his hand:’ Juror in Rodgers’ trial speaks out

For the first time, we’re getting some insight into why a jury convicted Jimmy Rodgers of second-degree murder for the death of Dr. Teresa Sievers.

When the jury got the case, it had options. The most pressing was first-degree murder, which could lead to the death penalty, or second-degree murder, which calls for 25 years to life in prison.

Juror Harry Roberts said for him, that decision was not difficult. For him, the verdict came down to this: “We just couldn’t put the hammer in his hand and there was no evidence he was really in the house,” he said.

Meaning the jury agreed Jimmy Rodgers didn’t deserve to die for his role in the murder of Teresa Sievers. So no first-degree murder conviction and no conspiracy.

“You have the life of, not just the life that was taken, responsibility to them, but you also have a responsibility because you’re holding someone else’s life in your hands too, so it can’t be taken lightly,” said Roberts.

Roberts has lived in Fort Myers since 1992. Twenty-seven years later, he gets put on a jury and it’s the Sievers killing.

“I mean to get that your first time out it’s a life-changing experience,” he said.

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