LIVEBLOG: Day 5 of penalty phase in ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ trial begins Friday

MORGAN COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — Day five of the penalty phase in the trial of a man convicted for his role in killing seven people began Friday morning.

On Wednesday, August 28, a jury found Frederic Rogers guilty of three counts of capital murder after seven days of testimony, arguments and four hours of jury deliberation over two days.

The State of Alabama is seeking the death penalty against Rogers, which is what the jury will now decide in this phase of the trial.

Rogers’s defense said at the trial opening he was guilty, but they hoped to spare his life.

The penalty phase is almost a mini-trial, in which jurors will hear from character witnesses as the defense will argue Rogers should be given life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The first person the defense called to the stand on Thursday was Wayne Hulon, a psychotherapist who specializes in ‘quantitive EEG analysis.’ Hulon often works with Dr. Robert Schaffer as their work compliments each other.

Rogers’ stepfather, Raymond Thompson, and mother, Tasha Thompson, were also called to the stand to talk about Rogers’ childhood.

News 19 Reporter Kayla Smith was in the courtroom on Friday bringing live updates on the trial.

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