FL - FSU Law Professor Dan Markel Murdered by Hitmen-Donna Adelson Upcoming Trial - *4 Guilty* #26

[minusfour]

It's late Winter in my neck of the wood, and I'm paying a friend to help me with some bigger tasks in the garden. Poor thing, I've been talking his head off about the trial!

 

[opt]

Let the people be prepared for surprises from both sides!

Nothing will surprise me as much as the absurd "murder on spec" story the defense opened with in Charlie's trial.

<Mod snipped- OT>

Like everyone here, I was sure Charlie was guilty, but I had expected him to come up with at least a slightly plausible story. Otherwise why spend the money on a trial rather than take a plea deal?

 

[Luna20]

Nothing will surprise me as much as the absurd "murder on spec" story the defense opened with in Charlie's trial.

<Mod snipped- OT>

Like everyone here, I was sure Charlie was guilty, but I had expected him to come up with at least a slightly plausible story. Otherwise why spend the money on a trial rather than take a plea deal?

It may be a little different this time. Charlie can’t do anything to help at this point UNLESS he turns on WA. We have no idea what DA is going to do but she has a few options. She may be more angry at WA than she was previously. The triangular dynamic will be put to the test. I believe DA and WA are individually going to let CA remain the fall guy.

 

[Zedzded]

Nothing will surprise me as much as the absurd "murder on spec" story the defense opened with in Charlie's trial.

<Mod snipped- OT>

Like everyone here, I was sure Charlie was guilty, but I had expected him to come up with at least a slightly plausible story. Otherwise why spend the money on a trial rather than take a plea deal?

Obviously speculation here, but I don't think I'm drawing a long bow here when I say that I doubt very much DR was completely transparent with CA. Same with Kawass, De Coste, Fulford and the rest of them.

I'm sure at some point between now and when CA drops dead in his cell he will wished he'd made a deal, one would hope his current lawyer is telling him exactly where he stands. i.e even if he got a new trial he will lose that one too.

Very simply, his double extortion story has been destroyed by new evidence, he has no other valid reason for giving two men who killed DanM $150k.

His lawyer should be telling him (same with DA's legal team) either make a deal or you die in prison. End of. If it was me and I was in that much trouble I'd want 100% clarity on how much trouble I was in and what I had to do to get out of it. Not having some sycophantic lawyer telling me I'm home and hosed to make me feel better....

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, August 19th:
*Jury Selection set to begin (@ 8:30am 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 [#FW23102353] & 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. Transferred to Wakulla Detention Facility on 6/6/25. Held without bond (murder), $25K (conspiracy) & $25K (solicitation) on 11/21/23. Plead not guilty. Transferred to Leon County jail on 8/14/25. Leon County
Jury selection set to begin on 8/19/25. [thru 8/23/25] Jury: 12 jurors & 3 alternates will be selected.
Trial set to begin on 8/25/25. [thru 9/5/25]
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 8/15/25 reference post #605 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/fl-f...murdered-by-hitmen-4-guilty-26.739874/page-31
8/17/25 Update: The Judge stated that the motion hearing of August 8 was the last before trial. However, there will be a postpositive motion hearing tomorrow 8/18/25 @ 1:30pmm. Besides the prior motions taken under advisement & Wendi Adelson’s motion to quash the defense’s subpoena, Donna Adelson’s attorneys have filed another motion to suppress testimony as late as on Friday August 15. The Judge’s rulings on those many motions will define the future shape of the on-going slugfest. Jury selection begins on 8/19/25. There will be 12 jurors & 3 alternates selected.
8/18/25 Update: Judge Everett ruled Monday to quash the defense subpoena for Wendi Adelson.

 

[apeXperience]

Donna Adelson’s trial for the murder of Dan Markel starts today August 19th, 2025

• It appears the objective of the extra table request is to place Donna Adelson facing the Jurors such that she could entertain them with “the performance of her life”
• We will get a lot of Donna Adelson’s facial expressions throughout the trial, but at the end it might backfire for her
• While waiting for more snapshots, here are the Adelson main characters as of recently:

The Broad Smiling Sunshine
The Facetious Director
The Crying Domestic Coordinator, and
The Blacked Eye Maestro
​

 

[legalmomma]

It’s jury selection day!

Donna Adelson trial: 'Common sense,' skepticism collide in jury selection | Analysis

The competing goals of the court, prosecution and defense will be on the line as jury selection begins in the much-anticipated murder trial of Donna Adelson on Aug. 19.

www.tallahassee.com

Key Points:

• Jury selection begins August 19 in the Donna Adelson murder trial, the fourth trial connected to the 2014 death of FSU professor Dan Markel.
• The court aims to select an unbiased jury, while the prosecution seeks jurors open to evidence and not prone to conspiracy theories.
• The defense will look for skeptical jurors who question evidence and challenge a "common sense" approach.
• Adelson's defense may involve a modified version of the "double extortion" defense used in her son's trial, along with explanations for her coded language and actions after the murder.

 

[legalmomma]

On trial: Who is Donna Adelson, matriarch of family implicated in Dan Markel murder?

The quest for justice for an acclaimed Florida State University law professor and the trial of Donna Adelson is set to begin once again in a Florida capital city courtroom.

www.tallahassee.com

Investigations over the next nine years revealed:

• Prosecutors said Donna and Harvey Adelson repeatedly tried to convince Wendi to coerce Markel into allowing her to move their sons to South Florida, with Donna suggesting they offer Markel $1 million to change his mind.
• Donna suggested that Wendi threaten to enroll the children of the devoutly Jewish Markel in a Catholic school, according to Donna Adelson's arrest affidavit. Markel also filed a motion to prevent Donna from having unsupervised time with the children after hearing about disparaging remarks she was making about him to the children.
• According to the arrest affidavit, cellular recordsshowed "numerous contacts" between Magbanua, Charlie Adelson and Garcia before and after the killing, and contact between Garcia and a phone registered to Harvey Adelson. Charlie also frequently contacted Donna before and after Markel's death.
• Wendi Adelson told investigators the day of the murder that her brother had joked it would be cheaper to buy her a TV as a divorce gift than hire a hitman. From roughly 460 miles away, Donna arranged a television repair appointment for Wendi the morning of the homicide.
• At Charlie Adelson's trial, Magbanua testified that when she went to his home the night of the killing he told her his parents had just left, leaving behind money "that his mom had washed," the affidavit said. She said the money was damp and moldy.
• After the murder, Magbanua received more than $17,000 in paychecks from the Adelson's practice, handwritten and signed by Donna, from September 2014 to at least April 2016, prosecutors said, on top of her portion of the money for the killing and over $56,000 in cash. She also was sold Charlie Adelson's Lexus, which was registered to Harvey Adelson, for $1,700.
• In 2016, an undercover agent contacted Donna Adelson with a letter about the murder and demanded $5,000. She contacted Charlie to discuss the threat. In a later call, when Charlie asked what the letter was for, she said, "This TV is probably about five," meaning $5,000, according to the affidavit. After he visited both his parents for a huddled conversation, Charlie took Magbanua to the Dolce Vita restaurant to complain about the would-be blackmailer, what he knew, and what Charlie would do about it. That conversation was recorded and became key evidence in Charlie's trial. One of the things he told Magbanua was, "if they had any evidence we would have already gone to the airport." After the meeting, Charlie called Donna to report that he was handling everything.
• After another letter and a text were sent to Donna Adelson by investigators, there were multiple calls and meetings between Charlie and his parents. Donna called the undercover agent and denied all knowledge.
• Another of Charlie Adelson's girlfriends, June Umchinda, told the FBI that after Rivera and Garcia were charged with murder Charlie and Donna Adelson both seemed more stressed, and Donna told her that she felt "Dan Markel was haunting her from the grave," the affidavit said.
• After Charlie Adelson's guilty verdict, Donna called him in jail several times and told him she was "getting things in order, creating trusts, and making sure her grandchildren are taken care of," the affidavit said. She also discussed plans for suicide and plans to flee to a non-extradition country.
• On Nov. 7, 2023, Donna and Harvey Adelson booked one-way flights to Vietnam with a stop in Dubai, less than 48 hours before a grand jury was scheduled to meet that might have taken up her case. The U.S. does not have an extradition treaty with Vietnam.

 

[Knitpicker]

On trial: Who is Donna Adelson, matriarch of family implicated in Dan Markel murder?

The quest for justice for an acclaimed Florida State University law professor and the trial of Donna Adelson is set to begin once again in a Florida capital city courtroom.

www.tallahassee.com

Investigations over the next nine years revealed:

• Prosecutors said Donna and Harvey Adelson repeatedly tried to convince Wendi to coerce Markel into allowing her to move their sons to South Florida, with Donna suggesting they offer Markel $1 million to change his mind.
• Donna suggested that Wendi threaten to enroll the children of the devoutly Jewish Markel in a Catholic school, according to Donna Adelson's arrest affidavit. Markel also filed a motion to prevent Donna from having unsupervised time with the children after hearing about disparaging remarks she was making about him to the children.
• According to the arrest affidavit, cellular recordsshowed "numerous contacts" between Magbanua, Charlie Adelson and Garcia before and after the killing, and contact between Garcia and a phone registered to Harvey Adelson. Charlie also frequently contacted Donna before and after Markel's death.
• Wendi Adelson told investigators the day of the murder that her brother had joked it would be cheaper to buy her a TV as a divorce gift than hire a hitman. From roughly 460 miles away, Donna arranged a television repair appointment for Wendi the morning of the homicide.
• At Charlie Adelson's trial, Magbanua testified that when she went to his home the night of the killing he told her his parents had just left, leaving behind money "that his mom had washed," the affidavit said. She said the money was damp and moldy.
• After the murder, Magbanua received more than $17,000 in paychecks from the Adelson's practice, handwritten and signed by Donna, from September 2014 to at least April 2016, prosecutors said, on top of her portion of the money for the killing and over $56,000 in cash. She also was sold Charlie Adelson's Lexus, which was registered to Harvey Adelson, for $1,700.
• In 2016, an undercover agent contacted Donna Adelson with a letter about the murder and demanded $5,000. She contacted Charlie to discuss the threat. In a later call, when Charlie asked what the letter was for, she said, "This TV is probably about five," meaning $5,000, according to the affidavit. After he visited both his parents for a huddled conversation, Charlie took Magbanua to the Dolce Vita restaurant to complain about the would-be blackmailer, what he knew, and what Charlie would do about it. That conversation was recorded and became key evidence in Charlie's trial. One of the things he told Magbanua was, "if they had any evidence we would have already gone to the airport." After the meeting, Charlie called Donna to report that he was handling everything.
• After another letter and a text were sent to Donna Adelson by investigators, there were multiple calls and meetings between Charlie and his parents. Donna called the undercover agent and denied all knowledge.
• Another of Charlie Adelson's girlfriends, June Umchinda, told the FBI that after Rivera and Garcia were charged with murder Charlie and Donna Adelson both seemed more stressed, and Donna told her that she felt "Dan Markel was haunting her from the grave," the affidavit said.
• After Charlie Adelson's guilty verdict, Donna called him in jail several times and told him she was "getting things in order, creating trusts, and making sure her grandchildren are taken care of," the affidavit said. She also discussed plans for suicide and plans to flee to a non-extradition country.
• On Nov. 7, 2023, Donna and Harvey Adelson booked one-way flights to Vietnam with a stop in Dubai, less than 48 hours before a grand jury was scheduled to meet that might have taken up her case. The U.S. does not have an extradition treaty with Vietnam.

….so now I’m going to have to check out if the call to Best Buy was made while Wendi was in Miami using Donnas phone bc in the back of my mind thats what I’m thinking. We also know Wendi texted Dan from Miami “will you be home July 12-18th and can I have the kiddos that Wednesday?” Not sure it was the same time she was there or a different time.,

 

[Zedzded]

….so now I’m going to have to check out if the call to Best Buy was made while Wendi was in Miami using Donnas phone bc in the back of my mind thats what I’m thinking.

How is that relevant? Not sure if they could prove it was WA can they?

 

[geevee]

Jury selection live stream via The Tallahassee Democrat:

 

[Knitpicker]

How is that relevant? Not sure if they could prove it was WA can they?

Well the Democrat is suggesting Donna made the call and we don’t know that either. Wendi was in Miami when the call was made, so you cant assume it was Donna making it.(as they did)
Wendi could have used her phone.
That was my point -Hope that explains.

 

[BUF]

Jury selection live stream via The Tallahassee Democrat:

Could Donna look any frumpier for the prospective jurors? Deliberate?

 

[BUF]

LIVE BLOG | Donna Adelson Day 1 of Jury Selection

See real-time updates as day 1 of jury selection or testimony unfolds in Donna Adelson's trial. She is accused of orchestrating the murder of Dan Markel.

www.walb.com

 

[Weki]

I'm surprised by Donna's appearance. I thought she would look much more polished in a grandmotherly way. I'm not sure if this is deliberate. I recall defense wanted to eliminate unnecessary mentions of the Adelson wealth. So maybe the strategy is to make her look less wealthy? Idk. I think if she's going to testify, making her look like a sweet ole grandma with pearls is the better strategy. The *I'm just a homemaker* look.

Anyway, today is anticlimactic because jury selection in this jurisdiction happens behind closed doors. So we just get to look at the seal most of the day.

Apparently, she was crying yesterday before the hearing even started. Wendi's abandonment should've been apparant to her long before this week. I'm not sure if she's just demoralized at this point. Clearly, Harvey is feeling defiant against us looky loos. LOL

JMO

 

[arielilane]

Jury selection has begun in FL v. Donna Adelson. It will take 2-3 days to seat a jury.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1957791766184128793

 

[IQuestion]

How about her podcast less than a year after the murder where she says her ex was killed by “Professionals” (or singular Professional). AKA hitmen.

How would she have known that at the time?

Also, I was thinking (Haven’t listened to the Isom interview again to confirm), but was she told he was shot in the head? I recall Isom saying “your ex husband was shot”..so when she asked if he was “scary” looking, was she thinking because of his face?

So if she knew he was shot in the face without being told that…thats important.
Ok So now I will go back once again to the interview…

OK Court TV “ Wendi Adelson’s first police interview after Dan Markel Murder” @6:10 timestamp. ”There has been a shooting….he is not going to survive” (Isom)

Never asked where it happened. Wa sit in the house? Where was he shot? Etc. Just goes on to say she thought a tree was down when she saw the roadblock. Then proceeds with her alibi. And says “He wouldn’t do this to himself”. Did she think this was self inflicted to the head without even being told what his injuries were”?

She was never told it was in the face. She was not told it was in his car.
I will now try and scan through the whole interview to see if she was ever told it was in the face (head). So to ask if he looks “scary”..well if he was shot in the chest for instance, he would not look scary. Even shot anywhere in the body other than the face he would not look scary.

I do recall Isom suggesting she not visit him with the boys. The question is how did she know his face was disfigured? Was she told that he was in the car? Ok I”ll work on it unless someone knows for sure.

KNITPICKER And this why you are one of my most favorite posters!!! Your recall of details is so spot on. (I have watched the Isom interview so many times, and watched the "used kleenex pile grow for 5 hours" ad nauseum. (Ya'd think she would have looked for a trash can?) Besides that, my biggest "Oh-she-didn't-just-say-that-moment" was when the Victim Advocate cut WA off in mid-sentence and said, "You know he is still alive?", the shock on WA's face and then WA says, "Well that's a game changer." Who talks like that?????

 

[apeXperience]

I'm surprised by Donna's appearance. I thought she would look much more polished in a grandmotherly way. I'm not sure if this is deliberate.

Perhaps, we all are looking too much into Donna Adelson’s appearance. Today, Jackie Fulford and Donna Adelson look similarly dressed, both wearing a jacket and a collard blouse.

Donna Adelson’s issue is her natural ugliness. Her unflattering prognathism makes her look untidy no matter the black jacket and blue blouse. In the pic below, the prognathism is not visible such that she looks OK. It is ironical that she did not benefit from the orthodontics skills of her two dentists.

 

[Knitpicker]

KNITPICKER And this why you are one of my most favorite posters!!! Your recall of details is so spot on. (I have watched the Isom interview so many times, and watched the "used kleenex pile grow for 5 hours" ad nauseum. (Ya'd think she would have looked for a trash can?) Besides that, my biggest "Oh-she-didn't-just-say-that-moment" was when the Victim Advocate cut WA off in mid-sentence and said, "You know he is still alive?", the shock on WA's face and then WA says, "Well that's a game changer." Who talks like that?????

Lol…who talks like that? Not even a contortionist nor Giraffe

 

[mdwannabejd]

Well the Democrat is suggesting Donna made the call and we don’t know that either. Wendi was in Miami when the call was made, so you cant assume it was Donna making it.(as they did)
Wendi could have used her phone.
That was my point -Hope that explains.

Was the appointment made before or after the tv was broken?