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

[Going Rogue]

There was an email from WA to Sara entitled "presenting my side of the story." But the email I'm referring to was entitled "self-care" and it's this email that was the catalyst for Sara severing the friendship. That was sent in 2017. But I've just read she did not contact the authorities about it till years later, perhaps as late as 2023. So perhaps it isn't as significant as I thought.

The ‘self-care’ email trail was released. I can't recall it verbatim, but here is what I remember. In that exchange Sara declined Wendi’s request to give a statement on Wendi’s character in fear it would lead to her being deposed and asked questions about the divorce etc. and mentioned she had some personal issues and was focused on her own ‘self-care’. In that email she also essentially told Wendi she needed time to figure herself out etc. to which Wendi wished her the best and told her to reach back out to her when she was ready.

 

[Zedzded]

The ‘self-care’ email trail was released. I can't recall it verbatim, but here is what I remember. In that exchange Sara declined Wendi’s request to give a statement on Wendi’s character in fear it would lead to her being deposed and asked questions about the divorce etc. and mentioned she had some personal issues and was focused on her own ‘self-care’. In that email she also essentially told Wendi she needed time to figure herself out etc. to which Wendi wished her the best and told her to reach back out to her when she was ready.

Yup that's right. So another dead end! I don't think WA will escape justice, but I can't see how the State can indict her first-degree murder, solicitation and conspiracy.

 

[Going Rogue]

Yup that's right. So another dead end! I don't think WA will escape justice, but I can't see how the State can indict her first-degree murder, solicitation and conspiracy.

I agree and I’ve been saying for a very long time that Wendi is an extremely risky case for that state based on information that is public. There are so many strong opinions and assumptions being made in social media and the case against her is oversimplified and some rather complex details to the case against her are never or rarely analyzed objectively. I honestly think that those (or some) that have YouTube channels have refrained from saying anything objective (Brother Counsel did great video on what he called the Adelson Effect) because of the backlash it causes from some fanatic case followers. There are even channel hosts that have routinely accused anyone with an objective view or one that opposes their way of thinking of being on the Adelson PR Team. Why, because you can’t be so blind or stupid not to see how guilty Wendi is therefore you must have a ulterior motive. The way this case is analyzed by some is nuts to me.

 

[Zedzded]

There are even channel hosts that have routinely accused anyone with an objective view or one that opposes their way of thinking of being on the Adelson PR Team. Why, because you can’t be so blind or stupid not to see how guilty Wendi is therefore you must have a ulterior motive. The way this case is analyzed by some is nuts to me.

I think a lot of people, including me, have been placing too much emphasis on evidence that is ultimately quite weak. I think we have been blinded in our desperation to see this witch imprisoned and the very thought of her escaping justice is so abhorrent that it's too hard to comprehend.

 

[Sustained]

I think a lot of people, including me, have been placing too much emphasis on evidence that is ultimately quite weak. I think we have been blinded in our desperation to see this witch imprisoned and the very thought of her escaping justice is so abhorrent that it's too hard to comprehend.

The evidence made available to the public is certainly weak but none of us know what Georgia/LE might have and be willing to present to get Wendi arrested after Donna's trial and hopeful conviction. And there is always the chance that Charlie might flip.

At this point, the Markels should take comfort in the idea that Wendi will never be mentally free of the thought of getting arrested at any time. Some way to live looking over your shoulder constantly ...

IMO, Wendi is a good actress.

 

[Going Rogue]

I think a lot of people, including me, have been placing too much emphasis on evidence that is ultimately quite weak. I think we have been blinded in our desperation to see this witch imprisoned and the very thought of her escaping justice is so abhorrent that it's too hard to comprehend.

Yes I agree. If you look at the way the case has been covered in social media its not surprising to me. I really don’t want to single anyone out but there were only a handful of U-Tube channels covering the case a few years ago and there were some very strong messages being delivered by certain channel hosts on the strength of the case against Wendi. The evidence was always presented with very strong bias and anyone that dared to attempt to objectively discuss any singular data point was accused of having nefarious motives. That seems to have subsided lately and I think those that have followed the case closely for several years are reevaluating things based on simple logic and that fact that (in my opinion) the message of how strong the case is seems to have faded recently. Maybe certain ‘hosts’ have reevaluated their personal stance on the matter? Donna was arrested over a year ago – there is no logical explanation as to why Wendi has not been arrested IF the state believes they can meet the burden of proof. The common excuse we have heard in the past was that ‘they need Wendi to testify to ensure Donna’s conviction’ or their strategy is ‘one at a time’ – I have said in the past that if that is the mindset of the prosecutors office, they need to clean house. For the record, I do not believe that is their mindset, I think its a simple case of them realizing the evidence against Wendi is not nearly strong enough to confidently meet the burden of proof. Yes, they have more information that isn’t public, but they also may have exculpatory evidence.

 

[Going Rogue]

The evidence made available to the public is certainly weak but none of us know what Georgia/LE might have and be willing to present to get Wendi arrested after Donna's trial and hopeful conviction. And there is always the chance that Charlie might flip.

At this point, the Markels should take comfort in the idea that Wendi will never be mentally free of the thought of getting arrested at any time. Some way to live looking over your shoulder constantly ...

IMO, Wendi is a good actress.

I would add that the lives all of the Adelsons has never been free of thought since Sigfredo’s arrest in 2016. The exception would be Rob although it must have been difficult for him as well but in a very different way. Let’s also not forget Charlie’s original arrest affidavit was written in 2016 – the writing was on the wall in 2016 and they all have been living in fear for a long time. Things just got progressively worse for them as time marched forward.

 

[apeXperience]

Charles Adelson’s case is now dealt with at THREE (no less) simultaneous courts’ proceedings

• Leon County Court (judge Everett)
• Florida’s 1DCA
• Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit Court

As of 1/02/2025, Charles Adelson’s appeal of his conviction is ongoing at the 1st District Court of Appeal (1DCA)

• It is based on Leon County Court (judge Everett) opinion that Rashbaum’s assignment as the defendant’s attorney is "erroneous" because of potential conflict of interests with his mother’s case
• The 1DCA stated that the appeal process will not be referred (reverted) to the Leon County Court
• In my opinion, this appeal has no chance of being granted because (a) conflict of interests weaver error was caused by the defendant and/or his attorney and (b) there is no supporting stare decisis, which would allow the case to be established with one (single) precedent in Charles Adelson’s favor. The Leon Court already fixed the issue with the removal of Rashbaum as Donna Adelson's attorney. The defendant wiggling while angling for a potential new trial will be in vain

Even if this appeal were granted, Charles Adelson’s potential new trial would yield the same outcome: conviction in all 3 charges!

• He was convicted on the merits of lesser evidence than to date
• Post conviction, Magbanua turned State Witness
• Magbanua added further more evidence by stating in her proffer to the effect of “upon many months prompting from Charles Adelson’s solicitation (count 3), Magbanua conspired (count 2) with Charles Adelson, Sigfredo Garcia, and Luis Rivera to kill (count 1) Dan Markel” (paraphrase)

As of 1/6/2025 at the Leon County Court, there are new occurrences in the case of Charles Adelson, in addition to his conviction appeal

• Docket entry: 1/6/2025 “301 MOTN MOTION FLORIDA RULE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 3.800(B)”
• This motion is filed by Michal Ufferman AND Laurel Cornell Niles, alleging that error has been made in Charles Adelson’s sentencing
• The Motion alleges that the LWOP penalty was an unlawful charge

On 1/06/2025 at the 1DCA

• The new attorney Laurel Cornell Niles (incidentally former student of Dan Markel) filed a Notice of Appearance on behalf of Charles Adelson
• Ufferman and Niles filed a 01/06/2025 “Notice of Pending Motion Correct Sentencing Error”, basically attempting to decelerate the appeal process pending the dealing of the alleged sentencing error

On 1/06/2025 at the Second Judicial Circuit Court

• Circuit Court “Most civil and criminal cases in Florida originate at the trial court level. The circuit courts are courts of general jurisdiction, handling such matters as domestic relations, major criminal offenses, probate issues, civil cases involving amounts greater than $30,000 and appeals from county courts.”
• Ufferman and Niles filed a Motion appealing the Leon County Court’s LWOP sentencing

Today 1/07/2025 at Leon County Court

• The Court lists the motion appealing the LWOP sentencing filed at Second Judicial Circuit Court
• The Leon County Court accepts to reopen (i.e. review) the post conviction procedure
• Judge Stephen Everett is assigned to review the allegation of sentencing error

Conclusion

• Charles Adelson’s case is now dealt with at THREE (no less) simultaneous courts’ proceedings: 1. Leon County Court (judge Everett), 2. Florida’s 1DCA, and 3. Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit Court
• BUT these proceedings are merely sterile gesticulations, just causing convicted First Degree Murderer Charles Adelson to further bleed more of his stapled $1,000 bunches, and perhaps furthermore of Dr. Harvey Adelson’s wealth
• Even if he gets re-trial from the 1DCA, he will be re-convicted with the help of Magbanua’s proffer and testimony
• Even if he gets the LWOP commuted to “life with the possibility of parole after up to 30 years”, THREE consecutive up to 30 years sentences (up to 90 years) will keep him in prison until he dies
• "All of these adversities are just well deserved KARMA Dr. Charles Adelson; resulting from your karen behavior of spoiled criminal brat"
• The other un-indicted co-conspirator Wendi Adelson will sooner or later go through similar processes and outcomes (IMHO) because (a) there is no statute of limitation for 1st degree murder in Florida, (b) there are a lot of alleged evidences already in the public domain against Wendi Adelson, and (c) the others involved, such as alleged spoiled criminal brat facilitator and financier Dr. Harvey Adelson, or convicted Charles Adelson, or soon to be convicted Donna Adelson will spill beans while attempting to defend themselves
• Other interested parties such as Dan Markel's two sons will eventually ask for settlement of accounts after they come of age.

 

[Zedzded]

The evidence made available to the public is certainly weak but none of us know what Georgia/LE might have and be willing to present to get Wendi arrested after Donna's trial and hopeful conviction. And there is always the chance that Charlie might flip.

I believe the State could make a case against WA for accessory after the fact. And that carries a hefty sentence. It's not going to be hard to prove accessory. e.g some of JL's statements carry a certain amount of weight. He has a lot of credibility. He claimed he was so concerned by WA's statement about CA being serious hiring hitmen to kill DanM that he told a good friend. If the friend can testify to this, then that is pretty damning. WA has already stated that she mentioned to JL that CA joked about it.

Testimony such as that does not really make a case of conspiracy to commit murder, but it does for accessory. Same with drive down Trescott. The State only need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that WA knew the murder was going to take place and I believe the evidence supports that, at least for accessory. Her phone records will show minimal contact between CA and DA until the morning of the murder and then suddenly there is a flurry of calls and text messages between her and two of the conspirators. That does not show conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt, but it does for accessory.

 

[Zedzded]

I would add that the lives all of the Adelsons has never been free of thought since Sigfredo’s arrest in 2016.

Yes the spectre of Dan Markel will haunt them to the end. Even if WA escapes justice, she will never have any peace and will die alone and broke. She is too mal-adjusted to have any kind of healthy relationship, her kids will find out the truth and abandon her as will her friends. The only people that will interact with her will do so because of hidden agendas. Her brother and mother will be in jail for the rest of their lives, her Dad will die a broken man and her brother Rob will never speak to her again. The vast amounts of wealth the Adelsons have will be eaten up by legal fees and WA will be destitute and virtually unemployable, at least as a lawyer. She too will die broken. Free, but broken.

 

[Zedzded]

CA and DA's trials, appeals and any potential retrials will carry on for a few more years yet, so even if WA does escape justice, the end of this is not in sight for her. And the longer this drags on the more their money gets depleted. I think I had done a conservative speculative calculation and figured between CA and DA, they've gone through close to $4 million in legal fees. WA close to $1 million. She paid $500k just for her Kastigar specialist. Note CA was paying DR a flat fee of $75k per month. So close to $1 million per year. And this isn't including all the legal fees that date back over the years. Presumably as soon as they were listed as co-conspirators back in 2016(?) they engaged lawyers. I think if WA is arrested and HA that will take them close to the $10 million mark up and potentially eat up the last of their resources. Maybe they can start a Gofund me program?

 

[Mrspratcher]

CA and DA's trials, appeals and any potential retrials will carry on for a few more years yet, so even if WA does escape justice, the end of this is not in sight for her. And the longer this drags on the more their money gets depleted. I think I had done a conservative speculative calculation and figured between CA and DA, they've gone through close to $4 million in legal fees. WA close to $1 million. She paid $500k just for her Kastigar specialist. Note CA was paying DR a flat fee of $75k per month. So close to $1 million per year. And this isn't including all the legal fees that date back over the years. Presumably as soon as they were listed as co-conspirators back in 2016(?) they engaged lawyers. I think if WA is arrested and HA that will take them close to the $10 million mark up and potentially eat up the last of their resources. Maybe they can start a Gofund me program?

IMO it seems it would have been cheaper and of course more humane to just wait until her kids turned 18. Must be awful living your life wondering when the police will be at your front door to arrest you.

 

[Knitpicker]

Based on Donna’s email to Wendi, the 1-million dollar offer was pitched to Wendi. To say she was ‘part of the discussion’ is accurate, but it wasn’t her idea. In fact, I can easily make the argument that the ‘offer’ email is evidence of how dysfunctional and controlling Donna was by inserting herself into Wendi’s personal affairs. Additionally, since Wendi refused to make the offer, and refused other ridiculous suggestions Donna made to Wendi (there were several) that were clear attempts to make Dan’s life miserable and ‘take control’, I can see Donna & Charlie deciding to take more drastic measures without looping in Wendi. Yes, I believe Donna is that disturbed that she would spearhead a plan like Dan’s murder directly with Charlie without Wendi’s involvement and can see Charlie going along with her.

Although, I’m sure Wendi complained to anyone that listened about Dan or whatever other ‘problem’ she was facing in her personal life, Donna was close enough to Wendi and the grandchildren to know and see first-hand all the ‘issues’ the couple faced pre and post divorce. Donna didn’t need Wendi to ‘stoke the flames’ – she despised Dan with a passion and you are assuming Donna’s complete disdain for Dan was Wendi doing. Dan filed a motion against Donna asking the court to mandate supervised visits with his boys – Dan and Donna didn’t need Wendi to stoke any flames..... they had a mutual dislike for one another.

Do you know why Wendi was named an ‘unindicted co-conspirator’ according to Georgia Cappleman? According to Georgia in an article from David Lat who interviewed her after Wendi was named, it was done for technical reasons after she was named as a witness for the defense on the eve of Katie’s second trial and it did not necessarily mean they intended on charging Wendi.

Here is an excerpt of that article and a direct quote from Georgia:

"The characterization of Wendi as a co-conspirator was specifically for the purpose of acknowledging that she has enough exposure to give rise to Fifth Amendment protections. This issue was previously addressed in regard to Wendi Adelson when the defense attempted to depose her and the Court found that she legally invoked her Fifth Amendment privilege when she refused to answer their questions."

Re your last statement re Dan’s schedule – it’s well documented in Rivera’s proffer and testimony that all they had was Dan’s name, address, and information he was leaving town on Friday night so it had to be done before he left. Per Rivera, they followed him for days to learn his routes and patterns. There is no evidence Wendi passed any information to the hit team on Dan’s schedule – just speculation. That’s the main issue with the case against Wendi it is very assumption based. Dan traveled often and most weeks – you don’t think Donna knew that? Maybe she found out he was leaving town through causal conversation with Wendi? Maybe she or Charlie just told the hitman he was leaving town because they knew there was a 50 / 50 chance he was travelling that weekend as it is well documented he traveled often.

Did you read Epsteins book? Lots of information on his traveling.

 

[Knitpicker]

Respectfully disagree on both those points.

The boys are teenagers and intelligent. They have the resources available to find out the truth or at the very least be able to find out they have been lied to. For example they could ask their mother a hundred questions and she would have to tell the truth, which implicates her family, or tell lies that the boys could easily expose. For example if she tried to support the double extortion theory, the boys would know she was full of crap.

There are parallels with the murder of Howard Pilmar, killed by his exwife and her brother. Both convicted, his son a DA, supported his mother, despite the overwhelming evidence showing she was responsible for his fathers death. He even shunned his fathers family because they were fighting for his mother to be convicted. At least one of the Markel boys has maintained contact with the Adelsons, writing to CA and visiting DA in jail. So I believe even if their mother is convicted, there may be some level of denial with the boys.

Re GC not arresting WA simply because she is a mother is just nonsensical. She is a prosecutor first, mother second. Her priority is justice and she will do everything in her power to ensure WA is put behind bars for as long as possible. Any delays with her arrest are simply because of their specific strategy, nothing to do with considering the boys. Parents get arrested all the time and often in front of their kids. Parents get executed.

GC does consider the Markels and their relationship with the boys. She engineered it that CA would be arrested after the Markels had visited the boys, knowing if the arrest warrant had been issued earlier, WA may have denied them the visit. But as soon as DS is convicted, WA will be picked up.

So why hasn’t Wendi been arrested? “Wendi, Wendi Wendi”…”One at a time”. It’s been GC hinting at WA’s arrest. Why say anything at all if she didn’t plan to arrest her?
Most incriminating evidence imo was WA to Isom in the car ride to the station saying when they go there— “I was thinking on the ride here, I was a suspect”.(Or something to that effect) Without even knowing there had been a murder attempt. How would she have ever known that? That was a lost opportunity w/GC imo. Why did GC never bring that up? Is she “saving” it? Why wasn’t Isom asked about that when he was on the stand? I have to think GC is saving it. But until when? After Donna? Why?

 

[Zedzded]

So why hasn’t Wendi been arrested? “Wendi, Wendi Wendi”…”One at a time”. It’s been GC hinting at WA’s arrest. Why say anything at all if she didn’t plan to arrest her?

I do agree with this. A subtle comment, but for me quite telling and really shows that she is at the forefront of GC's mind.

Why did GC never bring that up? Is she “saving” it? Why wasn’t Isom asked about that when he was on the stand? I have to think GC is saving it. But until when? After Donna? Why?

I definitely felt GC was holding back with her questioning of WA.

 

[Tricia]

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[imstilla.grandma]

In court documents filed Monday, Adelson’s appeals lawyer, Michael Ufferman of Tallahassee, asserted that the criminal punishment code scoresheet prepared by the state incorrectly assigned 120 victim injury “death” points to the conspiracy and solicitation counts.

Charlie Adelson lawyer seeks resentencing on two counts in Dan Markel murder case

Charlie Adelson is asking to be resentenced on two of three counts against him, citing an alleged error in the sentencing scoresheet.

www.tallahassee.com

 

[Knitpicker]

I do agree with this. A subtle comment, but for me quite telling and really shows that she is at the forefront of GC's mind.

I definitely felt GC was holding back with her questioning of WA.

Right, and she never asked Isom about it either. She could have said “Did you mention to Wendi on the car ride anything about what happened? Isom: “No”. Then why would Wendi say during her interview that she said in the car that she thought she was a suspect? (As an example). I know Isom wasn’t being prosecuted. But that would have settled it.
Wendi was too calm when she got there and wasn’t really rattled by the news. In fact, right after that he asked for her ID and she just casually got her wallet out.
How did she not ask in a car ride what was going on?

I used to think that Isom may have said something in the car accidentally-But because there was no car cam etc.it would not have been recorded. And he needed to wait to tell her when she was being recorded. And it hasn’t been brought up at any trial.I know it goes directly to Wendi and not to KM or CA. It was a slip for Wendi when she was with Isom and she was never called on it. And he was never asked about it to clarify.

 

[Zedzded]

Right, and she never asked Isom about it either. She could have said “Did you mention to Wendi on the car ride anything about what happened? Isom: “No”. Then why would Wendi say during her interview that she said in the car that she thought she was a suspect? (As an example). I know Isom wasn’t being prosecuted. But that would have settled it.
Wendi was too calm when she got there and wasn’t really rattled by the news. In fact, right after that he asked for her ID and she just casually got her wallet out.
How did she not ask in a car ride what was going on?

So she asked if she was a suspect before she knew a crime had been committed?? That's pretty loi.

 

[Knitpicker]

So she asked if she was a suspect before she knew a crime had been committed?? That's pretty loi.

Yes, in her interview with Isom. I’ll find it a bit later when I have more time,
Imo it’s the most incriminating evidence against her.
Why would she think Isom would think she was a suspect in a shooting she didn’t know about yet.?