Judge denies Wisner Desmaret's motion for new trial in 2018 slaying of FMPD officer

A new trial motion filed on behalf of a Fort Myers man convicted of fatally shooting a Fort Myers Police officer was denied.

Lee Circuit Judge Robert Branning denied the motion on Tuesday afternoon. A jury spared Wisner Desmaret, 34, from the death penalty and he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison in the 2018 death of Adam Jobbers-Miller, 29.

In memory: Shooting victim remembered as 'inspiring' music artist who leaves 6 children behind

He faces sentencing on Monday.

Lee Hollander, who remained standby counsel for Desmaret during his capital murder trial, filed the motion.

Since Ian: Theft, burglary crimes skyrocket in Sanibel since Hurricane Ian, data shows

The motion, filed April 26, claimed the court made a mistake by finding Desmaret competent to stand trial on two occasions — Jan. 22, 2020, and Feb. 16, 2021; allowing Desmaret to represent himself despite admitting on record during trial he was hearing and listening to “voices;” and denying Desmaret's pretrial motion for change of venue filed Aug. 16, 2022.

Desmaret had represented himself in the trial. His family had expressed concern, citing Desmaret's mental health.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Judge denies motion for new trial in 2018 police officer killing