FL - FSU Law Professor Dan Markel Murdered by Hitmen *4 Guilty* #25

[Niner]

Tuesday, March 25th:
*Case Management Hearing (@ 2:30pm ET) - FL - Daniel Eric Markel (41) (shot to death July 18, 2014, Tallahassee) - *Donna Sue Adelson (64 @ time of crime/73/now 75) arrested by FBI @ Miami Intl. Airport (11/13/23) on out-of-County warrant from Leon County arrest Warrant [#FW231o2353] & indicted (11/15/23), charged (11/21/23) & arraigned (12/11/23) with 1st degree murder, conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder & solicitation to commit 1st degree murder. No bond. Held at Miami-Dade County Jail (Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Leon County has 15 days to extradite from Miami-Dade County). Transferred from Miami-Dade to Leon County on 11/20/23. Held without bond (murder), $25K (conspiracy) & $25K (solicitation) on 11/21/23. Plead not guilty. Leon County
Jury selection set to begin on 6/3/25.
Trial set to begin on 6/9/25.
Leon County Circuit Judge Stephen S. Everett presiding. Prosecutor Georgia Cappelman & Assistant State attorney Sarah Dugan. Defense attorney Adam J. Komisar, Jackie Fulford & Joshua D. Zelman.
Case & Court info from 11/13/23 thru 2/11/25 reference post #607 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...murdered-by-hitmen-4-guilty-25.724818/page-31
2/17/25 Docket update: [228] Notice of filing defendant's Notice of filing hearing transcripts. 2/18/25 Docket update: Notice of appearance.
2/20/25 Docket updates: Amended: Answer to Demand for Discovery. [Exhibits: State's motion witness list, LCJ Medical records (12/26/23-2/14/25) & LCJ photos of washer unit 5] filed by Jack Campbell, State attorney. Amended notice of taking depositions [Brittany Purcell & Casidhe Conroy on 2/28/25] filed by Jackie Fulford. More info see post #600, page 30, thread #25. Next motions & Arthur hearing on 2/26/25. 2/21/25 Docket updates: [230] Answer to demand for discovery. [231] Notice of taking deposition amended.
2/26/25 Update: They went over the "open line call" from Nov. 2023 [a jailhouse phone call with her son]. Defense attorney Fulford argued that Adelson surrendered her passport, doesn't have a VISA & is put on a "no-travel" list, and the state has "absolutely zero evidence" to prove that she was fleeing the country at the time of her arrest. Assistant State Attorney Sarah Dugan walked the court through a list of evidence to argue why Donna Adelson should remain in jail until the trial. Assistant State Attorney Sarah Dugan asked Chelsea Wilson, a criminal investigator for the Leon County Detention Facility who investigated the incident where Donna Adelson was forced to buy commissary items for another inmate, to testify. Lt. Robert Collins, a correctional officer at the jail, took the stand next. Donna Adelson took the stand in today's hearing. Investigator Jason Newlin [investigator with the State Attorney's Office) was on the stand. Mike Hayden also took the stand. He's the health service administrator & registered nurse at the Leon County Detention Facility. All 3 calls (on 11/3/23) were played. There are five people on the state's witness list who could be called to testify today, including Leon County Sheriff's deputies & correctional officers, a jail healthcare provider and an attorney. The witnesses are Deidra Bateman, Robert Collins, Greg Toomey, Chelsea Wilson & Mike Hayden. Judge taking arguments under advisement regarding the suppression on the jail call between Charles & Donna. See article in post #612, page 31, thread #25.
2/26/25 Docket updates: [232} Case comments from Court event. Motion to suppress-Court reserves ruling. Motion set bond/Arthur hearing. [233] Court minutes. [234] Hearing record-witnesses & exhibits-Motion to suppress. [235] Hearing record-witnesses & exhibits-Motion for bond/Arthur hearing. 2/28/25 Docket update: [236] Request for/to defendant's request for Judicial Notice. Next case management hearing on 3/25/25 @ 2:30pm.
2/27/25 Docket update: Defendant's Supplemental Memorandum of Law in Support of Defendant's Motion to Suppress filed by Jackie Fulford. 2/28/25 Docket update: Notice of taking deposition of Sigfredo Garcia on 3/10/25 @ 10am at the Franklin Correctional Institution filed by Jackie Fulford. See post #672, page 34, thread #25 for both filings.
3/3/25 Docket update: Order. Denying Order. Denying Defendant's Motion to Suppress. [Motion to suppress the follow-on recorded phone dialog, after her call to CA in jail was over] by Judge Stephen Everett. See post #672, page 34, thread #25 for filing. 3/3/25 Docket update: Order Denying Motion to set Bond/Arthur Hearing by Judge Everett. See post #675, page 34, thread #25 for filing.
3/10/25 Docket update: Notice of taking Deposition [of Wendi Adelson on 3/21/25 @ 10am] filed by Jackie Fulford. Defendant's Motion in Limine [to exclude the Court file from Dissolution of Marriage of Adelson vs Markel] filed by Jackie Fulford.
3/18/25 Docket update: Defendant’s Renewed Motion in Limine [Storyline of Wendi Adelson's Book]. Motion to prohibit the State from questioning Wendi about the storyline of her book "This is Our Story". The court already denied [8/12/24] defendant's motion & State could use the storyline for purposes of impeachment. Filed by Jackie Fulford. [see post #950, page 48 for link].
3/19/25 Docket update: Notice of taking deposition of Charles Adelson on 4/28/25 @ 12pm filed by Jackie Fulford [see post 960, page 48]. 3/21/25 Update: Deposition of Wendi Adelson taken on 3/21/25.

 

[Knitpicker]

Enough about Trescott I think...

Ok so can we return to the week of the murder? Not sure this was discussed here but what do you make of that Tuesday that WA supposedly got locked out of the house (yet a few hours later said she was back in)?
1. If she did get locked out, how did she get back in ? (GC never asked JL this).

2. What about all those keys she coincidentally made that same week? So we know what day that was and how/if it at all relates to getting locked out ?(she claimed she needed to give people keys.
Were these keys to a new lock/
If not then why did she need to make keys? For new people?

3. Wouldn’t JL have had a key since he said he picked up the kids at school a lot?
Just revisiting some things unresolved issues.

4. How do you get locked out of a house without purposely locking it from the inside ad closing the door ? (Otherwise you would need a key to close it from the outside)

Did WA need a reason to change the locks in her house? Did she have a locksmith come? (JL never mentioned this).

 

[Going Rogue]

Ok so can we return to the week of the murder? Not sure this was discussed here but what do you make of that Tuesday that WA supposedly got locked out of the house (yet a few hours later said she was back in)?
1. If she did get locked out, how did she get back in ? (GC never asked JL this).

2. What about all those keys she coincidentally made that same week? So we know what day that was and how/if it at all relates to getting locked out ?(she claimed she needed to give people keys.
Were these keys to a new lock/
If not then why did she need to make keys? For new people?

3. Wouldn’t JL have had a key since he said he picked up the kids at school a lot?
Just revisiting some things unresolved issues.

4. How do you get locked out of a house without purposely locking it from the inside ad closing the door ? (Otherwise you would need a key to close it from the outside)

Did WA need a reason to change the locks in her house? Did she have a locksmith come? (JL never mentioned this).

The only question you asked that anyone can answer without speculating is:

How do you get locked out of a house without purposely locking it from the inside ad closing the door?

Very simple. My front door has what is called a ‘storeroom lock’ on the handle and they are very common. If the door is locked, you can still open the door from the inside and it does not change the lock from locked to unlocked. You never have to worry about not ‘locking’ the door upon exiting the home as long as you keep the door locked, but you have to be careful not to lock yourself out. We keep a key hidden in the yard incase we lock ourselves out.

 

[Knitpicker]

The only question you asked that anyone can answer without speculating is:

How do you get locked out of a house without purposely locking it from the inside ad closing the door?

Very simple. My front door has what is called a ‘storeroom lock’ on the handle and they are very common. If the door is locked, you can still open the door from the inside and it does not change the lock from locked to unlocked. You never have to worry about not ‘locking’ the door upon exiting the home as long as you keep the door locked, but you have to be careful not to lock yourself out. We keep a key hidden in the yard incase we lock ourselves out.

OK…do you also have a garage and a garage door opener with a keypad outside? Thats very common in Florida as most people exit through their garage to get into the car and leave the house. I’m wondering why she would have exited the house by the front door anyway.
Even if there was a reason for doing this, probably 95% of homes in Florida have keypads to get into the house through the garage.
To that you may say that her door from the house to garage was locked. Most people I know only lock that door at night. Because otherwise they could not get into the house through the door unless they open it, and many just have a twist lock inside-not a key to open that door.

About the kind of lock you have. I don’t have that so I can’t relate to it. I do know many homes have double locks. The bottom ont he door knob, but to get locked out you would have to purposely lock it before leaving.
The other lock would have to have a key used fromt he outside.

But what about making keys for others?
Why would that be necessary at that point in time?

PS. I do remember her mentioning the keys and that she was concerned after the murder at Isom interview that all of Tallahassee (or something to that effect) had her keys.

It just seemed odd to me-the whole locked out/keys made situation

 

[Going Rogue]

OK…do you also have a garage and a garage door opener with a keypad outside? Thats very common in Florida as most people exit through their garage to get into the car and leave the house. I’m wondering why she would have exited the house by the front door anyway.
Even if there was a reason for doing this, probably 95% of homes in Florida have keypads to get into the house through the garage.
To that you may say that her door from the house to garage was locked. Most people I know only lock that door at night. Because otherwise they could not get into the house through the door unless they open it, and many just have a twist lock inside-not a key to open that door.

About the kind of lock you have. I don’t have that so I can’t relate to it. I do know many homes have double locks. The bottom ont he door knob, but to get locked out you would have to purposely lock it before leaving.
The other lock would have to have a key used fromt he outside.

But what about making keys for others?
Why would that be necessary at that point in time?

PS. I do remember her mentioning the keys and that she was concerned after the murder at Isom interview that all of Tallahassee (or something to that effect) had her keys.

It just seemed odd to me-the whole locked out/keys made situation

‘If’ she had an entry door to the house from inside the garage, that could have been locked too. I really don’t think any of this matters – even if she lied about being locked out, it can never be proven and really has no relevance to the case. I know I’ve seen speculation in the past (maybe by you?) that she made the keys as part of the master plan to make it seem as if she had no intention of moving – like all the other plans she had in Tallahassee post Dan’s murder that were broken. All that type of speculation is stuff that can’t be proven and IMO is over thinking the details. I'm not saying its not possible, but I don't get hung up on that type of speculation.

 

[Knitpicker]

‘If’ she had an entry door to the house from inside the garage, that could have been locked too. I really don’t think any of this matters – even if she lied about being locked out, it can never be proven and really has no relevance to the case. I know I’ve seen speculation in the past (maybe by you?) that she made the keys as part of the master plan to make it seem as if she had no intention of moving – like all the other plans she had in Tallahassee post Dan’s murder that were broken. All that type of speculation is stuff that can’t be proven and IMO is over thinking the details. I'm not saying its not possible, but I don't get hung up on that type of speculation.

It wasn’t me, and maybe it’s a question GC hasn’t asked JL yet, or Wendi yet. I would think she’d be saving evidence for Wendi’s trial.

 

[Going Rogue]

It wasn’t me, and maybe it’s a question GC hasn’t asked JL yet, or Wendi yet. I would think she’d be saving evidence for Wendi’s trial.

You are losing me by calling it evidence - how can any of that be evidence? The answers to any questions on the keys or getting locked out is irrelevant to the crime. It’s just information we know (granted not all the specific details) as a result of the police interviews. It’s like saying Wendi was never asked what she ordered for lunch that day - has no relevance. Unless I’m missing something I don’t understand how it has any relevance.

 

[Knitpicker]

You are losing me by calling it evidence - how can any of that be evidence? The answers to any questions on the keys or getting locked out is irrelevant to the crime. It’s just information we know (granted not all the specific details) as a result of the police interviews. It’s like saying Wendi was never asked what she ordered for lunch that day - has no relevance. Unless I’m missing something I don’t understand how it has any relevance.

Im not being specific. I am saying we don’t know all there is to know…and I am sure you knew what I meant!

 

[Zedzded]

Ok so can we return to the week of the murder? Not sure this was discussed here but what do you make of that Tuesday that WA supposedly got locked out of the house (yet a few hours later said she was back in)?
1. If she did get locked out, how did she get back in ? (GC never asked JL this).

2. What about all those keys she coincidentally made that same week? So we know what day that was and how/if it at all relates to getting locked out ?(she claimed she needed to give people keys.
Were these keys to a new lock/
If not then why did she need to make keys? For new people?

3. Wouldn’t JL have had a key since he said he picked up the kids at school a lot?
Just revisiting some things unresolved issues.

4. How do you get locked out of a house without purposely locking it from the inside ad closing the door ? (Otherwise you would need a key to close it from the outside)

Did WA need a reason to change the locks in her house? Did she have a locksmith come? (JL never mentioned this).

What is strange is that the week of the murder there was a hive of activity. She was supposed to be on holiday, she dumped her boyfriend, she got sick, her TV repair was booked, she locked herself out the house, she was giving away kids clothes...

Giving spare keys to people is odd especially multiple people. WA is a qualified lawyer, so some level of intelligence, but just seemed to be lacking in common sense or couldn't think for herself. Have 3 sets of keys, one in the house, one that you carry and another set in a lock box attached to the house.

Personally I think she was so excited to finally leaving Tallahassee that she started "packing early." You know like when you're a kid and you're going on your annual holibibs, so you pack like a month before!

She supposedly had had an interview in Miami before DanM was killed, she was on OK Cupid that week arranging dates, I bet they were in Miami, she had met a guy (Dan S) in Miami and then she's locked out the house... the packing boxes scenario seems possible. She left Tallahassee on the Sunday, literally straight after the funeral. So managed to pack everything up and organise a moving company all on the Saturday? You need to book weeks in advance.

 

[Ferpo]

30 minute hearing to take place on Thursday, March 27, 4 PM EDT on the issue of allowing State to use story line from WA's book in DA's trial. It sounds like DA will be brought downtown for this.


[MOTION HEARING SET E-FILED: MOTION HEARING SET: 03/27/2025 04:00PM

INSTRUCTIONS FROM JUDGE I HAVE COPIED THE CLERKS FOR THEM TO SET THIS CASE FOR HEARING ON THURSDAY, MARCH 27 AT 4:00 FOR 30 MINS. ON MOTION IN LIMINE. THIS HEARING WILL BE IN COURTROOM 3B. PLEASE MAKE SURE DEFENDANT IS ON TRANSPORT LIST FOR THURSDAY.

 

[Zedzded]

‘If’ she had an entry door to the house from inside the garage, that could have been locked too. I really don’t think any of this matters – even if she lied about being locked out, it can never be proven and really has no relevance to the case. I know I’ve seen speculation in the past (maybe by you?) that she made the keys as part of the master plan to make it seem as if she had no intention of moving – like all the other plans she had in Tallahassee post Dan’s murder that were broken. All that type of speculation is stuff that can’t be proven and IMO is over thinking the details. I'm not saying its not possible, but I don't get hung up on that type of speculation.

The keys and getting locked out might be nothing, but if GC can show that WA had made plans that perhaps showed an intention to be leaving Miami imminently then that would be incriminating. So if she was not locked out and her possessions had been boxed up, obviously that would be of interest to the State.

Now if LE have done their due diligence WA would have been followed and/or phone tracked day of the murder, day after the murder and hopefully got a picture of what she did that day. Did she call a removalist on the Saturday? If so can they verify that or did she call them before Dan was shot? Did they turn up and everything was already boxed? Where did the boxes come from, when did she pick them up, did her cell phone data show that she picked them up Saturday if that's what she is going to suggest?

 

[Zedzded]

30 minute hearing to take place on Thursday, March 27, 4 PM EDT on the issue of allowing State to use story line from WA's book in DA's trial. It sounds like DA will be brought downtown for this.

On one hand I applaud DA's lawyer for thinking outside the box and being diligent, on the other hand this desperation is bordering on desperation, especially when each motion is costing DA thousands of dollars. The Adelson coffers will run dry eventually. They're about $6 million in the hole and I reckon they will need at least another $6-$8 million if DA appeals, CA gets a new trial and HA and WA are arrested.

 

[Ferpo]

On one hand I applaud DA's lawyer for thinking outside the box and being diligent, on the other hand this desperation is bordering on desperation, especially when each motion is costing DA thousands of dollars. The Adelson coffers will run dry eventually. They're about $6 million in the hole and I reckon they will need at least another $6-$8 million if DA appeals, CA gets a new trial and HA and WA are arrested.

DA's team said today that they are planning to file five more motions. I suspect they are just covering their bases, and forcing rulings to be made that can be part of an appeal in the future.

 

[Knitpicker]

What is strange is that the week of the murder there was a hive of activity. She was supposed to be on holiday, she dumped her boyfriend, she got sick, her TV repair was booked, she locked herself out the house, she was giving away kids clothes...

Giving spare keys to people is odd especially multiple people. WA is a qualified lawyer, so some level of intelligence, but just seemed to be lacking in common sense or couldn't think for herself. Have 3 sets of keys, one in the house, one that you carry and another set in a lock box attached to the house.

Personally I think she was so excited to finally leaving Tallahassee that she started "packing early." You know like when you're a kid and you're going on your annual holibibs, so you pack like a month before!

She supposedly had had an interview in Miami before DanM was killed, she was on OK Cupid that week arranging dates, I bet they were in Miami, she had met a guy (Dan S) in Miami and then she's locked out the house... the packing boxes scenario seems possible. She left Tallahassee on the Sunday, literally straight after the funeral. So managed to pack everything up and organise a moving company all on the Saturday? You need to book weeks in advance.

Yeah I agree she must have been running on adrenaline.
I didn;t know about that interview.
Dan S in Miami? He was at FSU and moved to teach in Boston, he was not in Miami. Maybe you mean Dave in Miami?
I think she left on Monday for S Florida with her parents.
Also a science teacher she had in Highschool that was working in Tallahassee at the time brought some stuff down to S Florida for her. I used to know his name.
I don’t believe she hired a moving company. I do wonder what she did with stuff like a sofa and bedroom furniture. Maybe the teacher friend had a truck?
Yes a crazy week for sure.
Sorry if this comment seems hyper-correcting…

 

[Zedzded]

All good and yes I think it might have been Dave.

 

[Knitpicker]

All good and yes I think it might have been Dave.

It’s hard to keep track of them….

 

[Zedzded]

I don’t believe she hired a moving company. I do wonder what she did with stuff like a sofa and bedroom furniture.

So shooting was on the Friday, she was interviewed until late in the evening Friday and the funeral and wake were most of the day Sunday and she was gonski on the Monday. She must have been one busy bee on the Saturday...

 

[Knitpicker]

So shooting was on the Friday, she was interviewed until late in the evening Friday and the funeral and wake were most of the day Sunday and she was gonski on the Monday. She must have been one busy bee on the Saturday...

A wake is an open casket though -he didn't have that.
The funeral was in Canada. Just memorial in FL. And then after memorial back to Wendi’s where W and Donna ignored Ruth. (In her book). It was horrible to read…horrible and sad.

The family was also at FSU a couple of days later and had a small memorial there. I don’t know how Shelly could have gotten up and even spoke-probably in shock. So sad.

Yes, Hard to imagine-was going to a stock the bar Friday night-and then ends up leaving permanently Monday morning. Didn’t hang around for that pesky Isom to talk with them.

 

[Going Rogue]

The keys and getting locked out might be nothing, but if GC can show that WA had made plans that perhaps showed an intention to be leaving Miami imminently then that would be incriminating. So if she was not locked out and her possessions had been boxed up, obviously that would be of interest to the State.

Now if LE have done their due diligence WA would have been followed and/or phone tracked day of the murder, day after the murder and hopefully got a picture of what she did that day. Did she call a removalist on the Saturday? If so can they verify that or did she call them before Dan was shot? Did they turn up and everything was already boxed? Where did the boxes come from, when did she pick them up, did her cell phone data show that she picked them up Saturday if that's what she is going to suggest?

Of course if they can prove Wendi did ANY preplanning with reasonable proof that would be a VERY relevant, but we can’t just insert assumptions (e.g. boxes being packed) to support the relevance of a ‘theory’ or certain data points to make it a ‘legal’ argument. Proof of boxes being packed before Dan was murdered is evidence that would stand on it’s own – but there is no proof of that, its speculation in social media. Proof of boxes being packed would reasonably prove at a minimum she knew and prove at a minimum she aided in the cover up. I just don’t see the relevance of the keys or getting locked out. I have no issue with speculation, just want to be clear I’m strictly talking about how this would be relevant and permissible in a legal proceeding – which is completely different than a friendly ‘websleuths’ discussion.

I agree with all the things you say LE should have done, and I’m sure as part of the investigation they thoroughly looked into all possible clues she preplanned the move – e.g. phone records, internet searches, credit card purchases buying packing supplies etc. Also I’m sure the ‘investigation’ into possible preplanning of Wendi’s move was not strictly focused on just things Wendi did – it likely extended to things the family may have done to prepare for her move.

 

[Knitty]

This thread is closed. Please continue Thread #26