Jury reaches verdict in ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ capital murder trial
MORGAN COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — The jury reached a verdict after four hours of deliberation over two days. Frederic Rogers is charged, along with John Legg, with killing seven people in Valhermoso Springs in June 2020.
News 19’s Investigative Reporter Dallas Parker was in the courtroom providing updates about the case. She said Tuesday’s testimony began with the defense resting its case around 9:51 a.m. This comes after the state also rested its case on Monday.
Jury deliberation to continue Wednesday in ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ capital murder trial
Both the state and the defense then provided their closing statements/arguments. The jury started deliberations on Tuesday, August 27, around 2:02 p.m. then decided to end the day around 4 p.m.
Rogers, 26, could face the death penalty if he is convicted. Legg does not yet have a trial date.
The judge told the jury, who was sworn in on August 16, that the trial was likely to last into mid-September.
Rogers is charged with four counts of capital murder:
Count one: Capital murder during a first-degree robbery
Count two: Intentionally killing two or more people in one course of conduct
Count four: Capital murder during a second-degree burglary
Count six: Capital murder during arson
Earlier this week, counts three and five were dismissed.
Dallas is in the courtroom again today to provide live updates of the trial.
At 9:04 a.m., the bailiff took evidence into the jury room and told the court reporter to start the clock. Jury deliberations have resumed.
The jury reached a verdict at 11:02 a.m.
Rogers was convicted of three counts of capital murder:
Count two: Intentionally killing two or more people in one course of conduct
Count four: Capital murder during a second-degree burglary
Count six: Capital murder during arson
The jury found him not guilty of the robbery charge.
Counts three and five were thrown out earlier in the trial.
Dallas said it seemed like a juror had an important appointment tomorrow so the parties discussed how to handle it. She said it sounded like they’re going to give the jury a break for one day, then bring them back Friday morning for the penalty phase.
Monday is a holiday so the jury will also not be in court.
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