***GUILTY*** Mark Sievers - 1st Degree Murder & Conspiracy

[Curious Me]

During death penalty trials, I find myself revisiting my thoughts from when I first joined here, and followed many years before.

For most of my life I have been a death penalty advocate and believer.

Yet after following many trials, and getting to know the families and how they felt and the understanding of the hardship and excruciating pain of each and every year as far as coming up for review, I have changed my mind. Notwithstanding the cost of housing and doing all the state funded appeals that will be required.

I now go back to basics as far as my beliefs. The the reason for housing the offenders is to keep them away from society. To protect Society.

Therefore I lean more to life without parole versus the death penalty. It is easier on the families, easier on the state, easier on the community.

The one thing that I do wish would change, is if they had more restrictions when they had life without parole. But that is something that needs to catch up with the times. M o o

Yet bottom line, one of the most significant things I will support is the wishes of the family of the deceased.

This isn't me taking a stand one way or the other. I just want to be part of this think-tank discussion. I can tell you've thought about this a lot. Just want to say I respect the fact that you changed your mind after looking at it from the families' standpoint, and also realizing the financial costs and hardships it puts on the state and community.

The truth is these criminals have gone far and beyond in their crimes to allow them to walk this earth. Another sorry truth is that they can use the system to continue to torture the victims' families and plague society. The DP doesn't make them remorseful. The DP doesn't give those daughters back their mother, or make losing the other parent better.

Plus, the DP seems like a dice roll from US State to State. It doesn't seem fair or consistent. Death Row is a different experience for some states, it seems. The DP inmates aren't put to death for decades, so it's hardly a deterrent. The appeals process is almost downright silly with the man that killed his entire family thinking he can appeal it anyways.

Plus, I do think people just want what you stated in the final paragraph. People say they just want the inmate kept in their cell 23 hrs. a day, but that's a separate issue. You said, "The one thing that I do wish would change, is if they had more restrictions when they had life without parole. But that is something that needs to catch up with the times. M o o"

I agree with what you said about restrictions. No shooting basketball hoops or computer dating for death row inmates.

 

[Recidivist]

I think the fact that he orphaned two children is a reason FOR the DP, not against it.

Technically they will only become orphaned if the death penalty is imposed.

imo

 

[dixiegirl1035]

I agree and I'm going to join the Judge Kyle fan club. I really liked his smile.

In the old days, we had :HHJP: (Caylee Anthony Trial/Caysey Anthony) and :juanettes: (Travis Alexander trial/Jodi Arias) as emoticons for judges/trial lawyers for cases we followed.

I was surprised at the lack of motion in limine and disturbances during the trial for this one. Thank goodness!

 

[Oregonmama]

This isn't me taking a stand one way or the other. I just want to be part of this think-tank discussion. I can tell you've thought about this a lot. Just want to say I respect the fact that you changed your mind after looking at it from the families' standpoint, and also realizing the financial costs and hardships it puts on the state and community.

The truth is these criminals have gone far and beyond in their crimes to allow them to walk this earth. Another sorry truth is that they can use the system to continue to torture the victims' families and plague society. The DP doesn't make them remorseful. The DP doesn't give those daughters back their mother, or make losing the other parent better.

Plus, the DP seems like a dice roll from US State to State. It doesn't seem fair or consistent. Death Row is a different experience for some states, it seems. The DP inmates aren't put to death for decades, so it's hardly a deterrent. The appeals process is almost downright silly with the man that killed his entire family thinking he can appeal it anyways.

Plus, I do think people just want what you stated in the final paragraph. People say they just want the inmate kept in their cell 23 hrs. a day, but that's a separate issue. You said, "The one thing that I do wish would change, is if they had more restrictions when they had life without parole. But that is something that needs to catch up with the times. M o o"

I agree with what you said about restrictions. No shooting basketball hoops or computer dating for death row inmates.

DP brings out many opinions...

Ultimately, it will be up to this jury and the Judge will have a final say re the sentence after they hear from lawyers and any one else testifying BUT this crime does qualify for the DP to be awarded:

(h) The capital felony was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel.
(i) The capital felony was a homicide and was committed in a cold, calculated, and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification.

I personally think Mark should not take another breathe since there was a simple and moral option to hire a divorce attorney instead of plotting his wife's murder. JMO

 

[Curious Me]

I agree, divorce would have been what a decent person would do. He was a weak, cowardly, extremely selfish and greedy man riding on his wife's purse strings.

 

[loreet]

In Florida during jury selection: are they — defense and/or prosecution — allowed to ask potential jurors about their personal feelings and beliefs about the death penalty? Is that part of any questionnaire or questioning? Is this something that varies state to state?

Thanks in Advance!

 

[Oregonmama]

And remember, Mark was still defiant behind bars. He wrote letters to his daughters in German so the contents would be secret, spoke about things he shouldn't on his monitored phone calls to the daughters. He will never change. He deserves the DP, JMO

 

[MsArk]

In Florida during jury selection: are they — defense and/or prosecution — allowed to ask potential jurors about their personal feelings and beliefs about the death penalty? Is that part of any questionnaire or questioning? Is this something that varies state to state?

Thanks in Advance!

The jurors were questioned extensively about their views on the DP and if they would be able to impose if applicable by law.

 

[Oregonmama]

In Florida during jury selection: are they — defense and/or prosecution — allowed to ask potential jurors about their personal feelings and beliefs about the death penalty? Is that part of any questionnaire or questioning? Is this something that varies state to state?

Thanks in Advance!

Yes , they all were asked their feelings re the DP

 

[Brooke]

I truly hope that Bonnie's silence and not showing up at the trial equal to her ditching Mark and focusing on her grandchildren. Bonnie was so manipulated by Mark before the crime and during the investigation which led her to not so many rights with the granddaughters. I can only hope that Bonnie puts the girls first so she can work on a healthy relationship with them.... JMO

I'm not sure Bonnie developing a relationship with the girls is something I think is a good thing. Bonnie made room for CWW and AW in her home when they came for the funeral but had no room (and apparently no concern) for her own daughter. Perhaps they were on the "outs" with each other, I don't know. But that seems very strange. It would depend on whether she has made a consistent effort to be in contact with the girls since they've been staying with MAG. If she has been haphazard with her contact, trying to gin up a relationship now seems contrived and manipulative. JMO

 

[kaen]

I'm not sure Bonnie developing a relationship with the girls is something I think is a good thing. Bonnie made room for CWW and AW in her home when they came for the funeral but had no room (and apparently no concern) for her own daughter. Perhaps they were on the "outs" with each other, I don't know. But that seems very strange. It would depend on whether she has made a consistent effort to be in contact with the girls since they've been staying with MAG. If she has been haphazard with her contact, trying to gin up a relationship now seems contrived and manipulative. JMO

While I would hope that if my kids were in this position that they would avoid the person who killed me as well as that person's family, but I think it is a better practice to not put barriers and create animosity between anyone. Once the girls are old enough to fully understand what their father did to their mother, I feel pretty certain that they would distance themselves from him on their own accord.

I would not want a fight about contact to erupt and further split the girls. It appears that TS's family has done such a great job in keeping the kids away from the issues. I can't see them refusing or fighting an opportunity for their other grandparent to have contact. I could see (and would fully be on their side) if the Siever's family tried to push custody or did things that would harm the emotional state of the girls.
We are all speculating because we just don't know. I am sure that both families would need all the guidance they can get to keep these girls moving in the healing direction.

 

[Arachne 1]

Just commissary accounts and rotating bunkmates. You know I had to go there.

Now, don't anybody get all tweaked out about the picture below. It's not what it looks like, but I was searching for my favorite little koala playing the drums doing a rimshot and this oddity popped up and I thought it fit the subject of Sievers and bunkies.

happy koala >>>>>>>>

Ha! And we already know what their names are! We hunt those wild boars down here!

 

[Lhughessk]

Technically they will only become orphaned if the death penalty is imposed.

imo

Maybe technically in the sense that you could say a person who is brain dead but on a respirator is technically still breathing.

He won’t be in their lives. They are without a father and mother. Thus, orphaned.

 

[Lhughessk]

Gotta question for everybody. Raise your hand if you never heard of a “lanai” before this trial?

 

[Brooke]

Gotta question for everybody. Raise your hand if you never heard of a “lanai” before this trial?

My mother lived in both Florida and Hawai'i and they use that term in both places.

ETA: Sheesh... need a cup of coffee to wake up!

 

[Spartygirl]

A lot of neighbors expressed that they are happy re the verdict so they can move on and they will embrace the new family that has moved in the home....

There is also a Court Tv video in the article that analyzes the trial...

Dr. Teresa Sievers' family relieved husband found guilty of her murder

Agree--I was just talking with my friend who lives there and she said they are all thrilled with the verdict and it has been blasting on the news every night !!!

 

[LadyL]

And remember, Mark was still defiant behind bars. He wrote letters to his daughters in German so the contents would be secret, spoke about things he shouldn't on his monitored phone calls to the daughters. He will never change. He deserves the DP, JMO

I assume prison officials got the letters translated?

 

[FelicityLemon]

.

CWW has, what I think is called, a venous lake on his lower lip. Mark if he ends up in General Population will have to get some neck and face tattoos to look tougher. He could have the number 1313 the garage code tattooed on his face. Go for it, Mark. It's so mean of me that I think that's funny.

Scott Peterson has done fine on Death Row. Tex Watson had four children while in prison since 1969. That irks me a lot. All Manson's cult killers lucked out when their death sentence had to be changed to Life with a chance for parole that is never granted. Chris Coleman killed his wife and two sons and then I think that state abolished their DP and he got life, but now he's appealing that sentence. He and Chris Watts disgust me killing their families. They're all Monsters!

RE: venous lake - good to know, thank you . I assumed it was a blood blister from someone popping him in the bazoo for something.

So glad to see that most states have banned conjugal visits. For some reason, I thought Watson was long dead, just looked and nope, he's 74. What kind of desperate woman deliberately sets up their children for life with this baggage.

Viagra and cigarettes in prison. Gimmeabreak. I understand that the punishment of prison is supposed to be considered as the loss of freedom and not necessarily otherwise punitive, but Viagra and cigarettes. Huh.

To minimize the violence in there, they could certainly remove cigarettes, the unhealthy diet, violent music, etc. Seriously, treat them like children in that respect. Limit the sugar (buns) intake. Provide lots of fresh vegetables and fruit. Don't provide anything that contributes or supports an antisocial, violent mindset.

The only music that should be allowed in prisons is positive, uplifting music.

The only tv that should be allowed in prisons is the Puppy Channel. Oh, okay and other programs, too. It's just that how can people be angry and violent with access to such wonderfulness as puppies and kittens playing? Oh, add those addicting silly cat videos on youtube. Can't be mad.

Peterson: what is it with so many murderers named Peterson?

Chris Coleman is a special kind of idiot (in addition to big ole steaming pile like the rest of them). LOL, that sentence the only thing appealing about him.

*stepping of soapbox*

 

[FelicityLemon]

All those miles they traveled road tripping to FL and NOT ONCE did either say - let's go to LE and tell them about MS because "it's the right thing to do" - quote by TAYSH.
I can't wrap my head around that. Pure evil. Justice has been served on a silver platter. ♡♡♡

omg, YES! Same thing with that thing girlfriend of Frazee. She even said that he told her several times over a span of time that he wanted her to kill Kelsey Berreth. She knew he was serious and not once told anyone or go the police. She drove how many hours and how many miles to clean up where he killed her and then helped dispose of her body? I will enjoy watching her trial if it comes to that.

It's still amazing to me the things that people do or don't do. At the very least, you'd think self-preservation would kick in. I get that there are people who don't care about murdering someone, but beyond that they don't bother to think what will happen if or when they get caught? That'd stop me right there.

As for not going to the police when you know someone is going to do something? Maybe that should get a sentence comparable to the person who actually murders someone that you could have prevented. They must not have a conscience to just go on with their lives knowing that they participated.

 

[Lhughessk]

omg, YES! Same thing with that thing girlfriend of Frazee. She even said that he told her several times over a span of time that he wanted her to kill Kelsey Berreth. She knew he was serious and not once told anyone or go the police. She drove how many hours and how many miles to clean up where he killed her and then helped dispose of her body? I will enjoy watching her trial if it comes to that.

It's still amazing to me the things that people do or don't do. At the very least, you'd think self-preservation would kick in. I get that there are people who don't care about murdering someone, but beyond that they don't bother to think what will happen if or when they get caught? That'd stop me right there.

As for not going to the police when you know someone is going to do something? Maybe that should get a sentence comparable to the person who actually murders someone that you could have prevented. They must not have a conscience to just go on with their lives knowing that they participated.

Crystal LEE will not have a trial. She already pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and is just awaiting sentencing.