A Juror Kept Playing Crossword Puzzles, So A Mistrial Was Announced In The Case Of A Woman Accused Of Encouraging Her Son To Murder The Mother Of His Kids
A mistrial has been announced in the case of Sheila Agee, a woman accused of encouraging her son, Keith Agee, to kill the mother of his children, 18-year-old Brooklyn Sims, in August 2023.
Brooklyn had been working at Home Depot on Davis Highway in Pensacola, Florida, when Keith, her ex-boyfriend, visited the store to murder her.
During his December 2023 trial, Keith testified that he’d been at work in Alabama on August 11 when he received a call from a medical office saying that he’d tested positive for a transmitted disease. At that point, he reportedly left his job, drove to his grandmother’s home to get his firearm, and traveled to Pensacola.
Upon arriving at Home Depot at approximately 1:30 p.m., Keith walked down aisle 52 and shot Brooklyn at least seven times. Two other employees sustained gunshot wounds as well.
Brooklyn was found deceased in the aisle. Keith ultimately fled the store, got into a silver four-door sedan, and drove toward Duval Street. He later turned himself in to the police.
He was charged with first-degree premeditated murder and aggravated battery. In December, he was sentenced to life behind bars after being convicted of murder.
Keith claimed to feel “enraged, betrayed, and hurt” following the phone call regarding his diagnosis and wanted to “get revenge” on Brooklyn.
Yet it’s important to note that Bridgette Jensen, who was a prosecutor on Keith’s case as well as his mother’s, pointed out how Keith tested negative for any transmitted disease during his trial.
Sheila went on trial more recently as a principal to first-degree premeditated murder. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office released text messages Sheila allegedly sent her son before Brooklyn’s murder. Police claim that she encouraged her son to carry out the crime.
Rob Byron – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
The pair reportedly exchanged dozens of text messages, which were submitted into evidence during Sheila’s trial and allegedly showed her telling Keith to visit Pensacola to conduct the shooting so she would not accidentally be shot.
“Buh that’s another thing if she don’t get out that car momma and I have to drag her out or can’t ima ask u to step out cuz I’m open the door jus shoot her,” Keith wrote in one text.
“If you getting off work now I’ll give you address here and you can ride over here and do it so you don’t have to do it in front of [his daughter],” Sheila replied.
According to attorneys, once Keith asked for the address, Sheila provided him with the address of the Davis Highway Home Depot. She was arrested in Alabama days after the fatal shooting.
Now, though, Circuit Judge Coleman Robinson has declared a mistrial following issues with jurors.
First, some jurors reported feeling concerned about their physical safety. In open court, one juror told Robinson there had been a loud verbal disagreement during deliberations.
That juror claimed to feel as if the jury’s physical safety was at risk due to a fellow juror’s argumentative nature.
The same juror also stated some of the disagreements had become racially motivated. It remains unknown whether the racially motivated remarks were directed at Sheila or a juror.
Deliberations reportedly got so tense that the court was asked if one specific juror could be replaced by an alternate, a change that Florida law doesn’t allow.
Chris Rabby, Sheila’s attorney, ultimately motioned for a mistrial, saying that his client wouldn’t receive a fair trial if the jurors were worried about their safety and potential racial bias.
“I am concerned it would not be a fair and just verdict,” Rabby said.
Robinson declared a mistrial, and while explaining his decision to the jury, he also condemned the actions of another juror who wasn’t paying attention.
On Tuesday, the juror began playing a crossword puzzle, and when it was brought to the attention of the court, the juror was ordered to focus.
However, on Wednesday, the juror returned to court with another crossword and continued to play it during deliberations.
“There is a particular juror who has not treated this case, and it’s evident, with the seriousness it should have, and it continued back into the deliberation room,” Robinson stated while addressing the jury.
The juror, a woman, reportedly told WKRG that she was able to “hear and was listening” while doing the crossword. She further said she didn’t know she wasn’t supposed to be doing that.
Sheila’s case has been placed back on the docket, and February 5 is her next scheduled court date.
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