GUILTY FL - FSU Law Professor Dan Markel Murdered by Hitmen 18 July 2014 - *5 Guilty* #28

[apeXperience]

In the murder of Dan Markel, the Theory of the Crime from the Probable Cause Affidavits of Sigfredo Gracia 2016, Charles Adelson 2016 (from which ex State Attorney Meggs refused to act upon), and Katherine Magbanua 2016 goes thus:

1) State labeled co-conspirator Wendi has the most (multiple) motives to move her
2) short tempered and revengeful father Harvey toward mobilizing his financial assets along with his
3) domestic coordinator Donna and his
4) capo regime Charles.

From there, whipped by his mother’s motive of controlling the lives of people around her, and his own propensity “to serve the family by the ways of his father, no matter what”, as opposed to the naive honest way of his older brother “abbot Robert”, maestro Charles recruited his sex toy Magbanua along her babies’ daddy Sigfredo and the Latin King crown member Luis Rivera to make the crime happens.

As 4 trials leading to 4 convictions of Murder to the First Degree and 4 LWOP sentences developed, Donna looks like a master mind because of her “domestic coordinator” role. Also, “domestic coordination” requires actions and communications, which resulted with numerous evidences against Donna and Charles.

As a result, the 1) true master mind and the 2) “birthday present collector” and financier are still at large … waiting for the sword of Damocles to fall and bring More Justice for Dan Markel!

 

[Zedzded]

Why did Sara Yousef not testify in DA's trial. DA had stated to SY something denigratory about DanM, which would have completely contradicted her narrative that DanM was someone she dearly loved.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I agree the case against WA is not like CA And DA. CA practically talked himself right into a conviction. The Dolce Tape, especially the enhanced audio, was powerful evidence. He procured the third party arranger (KM). He paid. DA wrote the checks. She did the money drop to CA. She also talked herself right into conviction on numerous wiretaps and “oops! Accidentally recorded” phone calls. Basically, CA and DA are a couple wannabe crime masterminds with mouths as wide as the Mississippi River. WA? No money drop. No blabbering on recorded phone calls dropping “code words”. None of the conspirators testifying to tell her role in the plot (yet). Absolutely nothing from the wire tickle that nailed KM, CA, and DA.

Is there lots of “coincidences” that suggest she likely was aware of a plot to kill Dan? Sure seems to be. Is there circumstantial evidence that hints at ways she may have been involved in the plot? I think so. However, based on what I know from the evidence against her, I think conviction in a court, following the statutes and instructions the jury will receive, I think it’s iffy for a conviction.(and I’ve followed this case since the day Dan was shot. I lived in Southwood Subdivision at the time and was near the end of a 32 year residence in the Tallahassee area).

I’m fully aware that the State may have evidence about which I know nothing. If that evidence is compelling and makes conviction probable, then what’s the hold up? Justice delayed is Justice denied.

I still think that the State believes they need something more, and likely that something more will come from someone’s mouth. No SOL for murder, so hope for a flip or a slip while LE is listening.

MOO. Regards! F_M

Well stated, @Florida_marlin ... they are just missing "the clincher"
I’m fully aware that the State may have evidence about which I know nothing. If that evidence is compelling and makes conviction probable, then what’s the hold up? Justice delayed is Justice denied.

 

[LinasK]

DA was the master mind. She did not want to live apart from her grandchildren. She hated that Dan was the reason she wasn’t getting her way. So she designed a way to bypass that and that was to murder who was blocking her.

WA and CA were part of the scheme that DA put in motion. The family was used to having things done to their benefit. Now she is in jail putting all of her energy into getting out. She still thinks that she can beat the system.

So how's that working out for her? She's still living apart from her grandsons and most likely they aren't coming to visit her.

 

[Zedzded]

Well stated, @Florida_marlin ... they are just missing "the clincher"
I’m fully aware that the State may have evidence about which I know nothing. If that evidence is compelling and makes conviction probable, then what’s the hold up? Justice delayed is Justice denied.

I understand the State need time to prepare its indictment against WA, but a lot of the evidence, statements, reports, depositions were obtained years ago. It's not like the crime was committed last year. I would be interested in knowing what the hold up is.

 

[Luna20]

So how's that working out for her? She's still living apart from her grandsons and most likely they aren't coming to visit her.

Right! She arranged a murder to be close to them and she got the opposite! She did it to herself! That has to make her feel so stupid and she doesn’t like to be thought of as anything but intelligent. “We are the Adelson’s”

 

[rescuemom]

IMO, I agree she (DA) could truthfully say that she was not the master mind, but she did willfully participate in the plan. She is very guilty. #ACF

The same could be said of WA and HA. DAs life revolved around her husband and 3 of her kids and their daily lives and she couldn't help herself but to talk, talk, talk, adnauseum. Meddle and then murder. I expect either CA or DA to turn on WA and HA at some point

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, February 3rd:
*Oral Argument Hearing [Appeal] (@ 10am ET) - FL – Daniel Eric Markel (41) (shot to death July 18, 2014, Tallahassee) - *Charles Jay Adelson (37 @ time of crime/45/now 49) was indicted (4/20/22), arrested & charged (4/21/22) & booked (in Leon County 4/25/22) with 1st degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder & solicitation to commit murder. Plead not guilty. No bond (denied bond 4/26/22). Bond release denied (9/9/22). Leon County
Jury selection set to begin on 10/23/23 & ended on 10/25/23. 12 Jurors & 3 alternates (8 men & 7 women; 7 white men, 1 Black man, 2 white women & 5 Black women).
Trial began on 10/26/23. State rested their case on 11/1/23. Defense began on 11/1/23 & rested on 11/3/23.
Jury deliberated (on 11/6/23) for 3 hours 13 minutes & verdict: guilty of all 3 charges. 12/12/23: Sentenced to life without parole.
Circuit Judge Stephen Everett presiding. Prosecutor Georgia Cappleman. Defense attorney Daniel Rashbaum & Kate Meyers.
3/20/24 Update: Columbia Correctional Institution Annex, Lake City, Florida. Adelson is placed on “Close Custody”, a severe level in between work camp “Medium Custody” & death row “Maximum Custody.” It means he should be within an armed perimeter and/or under watch of armed guards. Adelson is under “Administrative confinement” regime. It means he is in a cell by himself, with limited recreation time & no regular visitation rights.
Notice of Appeal (1/11/24).
Appeal Judges Rowe, Winokur & Thomas presiding. Adelson’s Appeal attorney Michael Ufferman & Laurel Cornell Niles.
Appeal-Case #1D2024-0004
Court info from 4/21/22 thru 10/23/23 & Jury Selection Day 1-3 (10/23-10/25/23) & Trial Day 1-7 (10/26-11/3/23) & thru 1/11/24 reference post #366 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...murdered-by-hitmen-3-guilty-17.695169/page-19
1/21/24 Update: Adelson has been moved to the Annex of the Wakulla Correctional Institution, outside Crawfordville, FL, just south of Tallahassee. Motions & restitution hearing on 2/2/24 @ 9am.
2/2/24 Update: Credit for time serve (597 days) for charge 1. Payment plan set; restructured/setup Plan 1/Defendant sentenced to life.
10/18/24 Update: “Mr. Rashbaum’s conflict of interest also infected Appellant Adelson’s trial,” the appeals attorneys wrote. “During the course of their representation of Appellant Adelson, undersigned counsel learned that Mr. Rashbaum represented Donna Adelson prior to the arrest of Appellant Adelson. Stated another way, Mr. Rashbaum previously represented a co-conspirator – in the same or substantially related matter – and he had an actual conflict of interest during the course of his representation of Appellant Adelson.” They cited Rashbaum’s decision to take Donna Adelson off the defense witness list at Charlie’s trial. “Undersigned counsel assert that Donna Adelson’s removal from the witness list was done in order to protect Donna Adelson’s interests (i.e., in not being interviewed by the State) – and against Appellant Adelson’s interests,” his attorneys argued. See post #188 for more info here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...murdered-by-hitmen-4-guilty-25.724818/page-10
10/18/24 Docket update: State's response to Appellant's Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction to the Trial Court. [Relinquish the trial court in Leon County. Has failed to demonstrate a valid reason to circumvent the normal procedures for postconviction relief]. See posts #222 & 223 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...murdered-by-hitmen-4-guilty-25.724818/page-12
1/2/25 Docket update: District Court of Appeal, First District: By Order of the Court; The Court grants Appellant's motion filed 10/21/24 & accepts the accompanying reply as authorized. The Court denies Appellant's motion filed 10/16/24, seeking relinquishment of jurisdiction. Served: Criminal Appeals TLH Attorney General, Robert Charles Lee, Ashley Moody, Trisha Meggs Pate & Michael Robert Ufferman.
1/24/25 Docket update: Order granting post conviction Motion: Order granting in part-The Judge agrees that there were 2 errors in the sentencing sheet calculating the minimum years in prison allowed. And Denying in part-The Judge denies the re-sentencing request. Defendant's Motion to correct sentencing error. The Judge indicates that the 2 errors in the sentencing sheet have no effect on his sentencing decisions. He did not consider the minimum allowed by the sentencing sheet. The Judge has decided to impose the maximum "30 Years x 2; consecutive". Conclusion: The motion for re-sentencing generated many billable hours for the attorneys, for little expectation of success for Adelson. It appears Adelson is milked for more billable hours by the attorneys, stressing his proceedings endlessly for zero real prospect of positive outcome.
5/8/25 Update: Charles's appeal has been filed. See post #128, page , thread # for more info. 8/5/25 Docket update: Appeal: Motion for extension of time to file Answer Brief until 9/4/25 filed by Robert Charles Lee, Assistant Attorney General.
11/20/25 Docket update: Charles Adelson filed a motion [Request for Oral Argument] to have his appeals Reply Brief arguments (66 pages written) heard in-person. See post #1877, page 94, thread #28 for more document. Filed by Michael Ufferman & Laurel Cornell Niles.
12/18/25 Docket update: Appeal-Case #1D2024-0004. By Order of the Court: Notice of oral argument hearing on 2/3/26 @ 10am. Arguments scheduled before Judge Rowe, Winokur & MK. Thomas, but panel is subject to change. Court has allotted 20 minutes per side. Charles Adelson granted the opportunity for his appeal arguments to be heard in-person by three 1DCA judges. See posts #1928 & #1932, page 97, thread 28 for document link.
*Katharine Diana Magbanua (32/now 41) – 5/27/22: Found guilty on ALL charges Sentenced on 7/29/22 for murder LWOP & for conspiracy & solicitation two 30 consecutive years in prison. 8/4/22: Magbanua has transitioned to the FL Department of Corrections Women's Reception Center in Ocala, thus ending a very lengthy six-year stay in the Leon County Jail.
*Sigfredo Garcia (34/now 44) – 10/10/19: Found guilty of 1st degree murder. Guilty of conspiracy. Not guilty of solicitation. Sentenced to LWOP for murder plus 30 years for conspiracy charge. 11/4/19: Motion to Withdraw as Counsel: Mauricio Padilla; Motion to Withdraw as Counsel: Saam Zangeneh. His appeal was denied.
*Luis Rivera (33/now 43) charged with 1st degree murder. Took a plea deal (Oct. 2016) & plead guilty to 2nd degree murder. Testified against Garcia & Magbanua. Will receive 19-year sentence to run concurrently with his 12 year Federal time, which he is already serving.
*Donna Sue Adelson (73/now 75-will be 76 in 2 days) – Found guilty & sentenced to life & to serve an additional 30 years on the conspiracy & solicitation charges on 10/13/25.

 

[Fromeaster]

Today is a big day.

 

[Weki]

This appeal hearing is so tedious. Ufferman is trying to scam the judges by acting like all these biased jurors got on the final jury panel. When in reality all the biased jurors were not selected. That's what I'm getting out of this hearing after Ufferman sat down after his opening argument. Also interesting that Judge Everett offered Rashbaum an opportunity to listen to the audio of the jurors talking in the waiting area and raise any concerns. Rashbaum refused. LOL. Rashbaum definitely phoned it in. I can't deny that.

JMO

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

Had live updates here.

https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/local/2026/02/03/livestream-updates-from-charlie-adelson-appeal-hearing/88477964007/

 

[Ferpo]

This appeal hearing is so tedious. Ufferman is trying to scam the judges by acting like all these biased jurors got on the final jury panel. When in reality all the biased jurors were not selected. That's what I'm getting out of this hearing after Ufferman sat down after his opening argument. Also interesting that Judge Everett offered Rashbaum an opportunity to listen to the audio of the jurors talking in the waiting area and raise any concerns. Rashbaum refused. LOL. Rashbaum definitely phoned it in. I can't deny that.

JMO

I doubt that MU was "trying to scam the judges". He of course knows the panel well and that they'll go take many months now to study the arguments and make a decision; it would be difficult for any type of scam attempt to survive that. Instead, he was doing the best he could with the lousy hand he was dealt, for his paying client. I was impressed with his skills in this high-pressure arena where the clock is ticking and you're constantly being interrupted by judges for questions. You can see why he is one of the best in the State. DR made some mistakes for sure, likely coming from limited experience in criminal trials. MU pretty much said that an ineffective counsel appeal will eventually be filed but that could be years down the road.