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

[Knitpicker]

I wonder why? Perhaps they simply planned to plead the 5th?

Will we ever find out who paid for KM’s lawyers and if it went through Francis?

 

[Zedzded]

Will we ever find out who paid for KM’s lawyers and if it went through Francis?

Yeah. Tara Kawass must be sweating bullets hoping he keeps his trap shut.

 

[Knitpicker]

Yeah. Tara Kawass must be sweating bullets hoping he keeps his trap shut.

When Judge Hankinson decided he was satisfied (it was a 3rd party-but who?) that her lawyers weren’t paid by the A’s, do we have any information about an investigation on the subject? Seems it wouldn’t be hard to look into his bank accounts unless the A’s transferred cash to KM’s lawyers. Perhaps the Judge couldnt find a $ trail? If there was cash passed along, unless FM talks we will ever know. But there would need to be some deposit by Kawass/LaCoste, right? This was years that they represented her. A few years after the murder, (I think it was around the time of KM’s arrest or first trial-there was a home purchased in FM’s name near the Adelson institute. It was in the 400’s i think (probably doubled now) Now sold . So FM could afford a new home and also KM’s lawyers?

Edit- Looks like hes still there. Almost sure it showed as sold a couple of years ago. Looks like it’s under an LLLP with Samantha in 2017. Hmm. Maybe someone wants to look into this.

 

[Zedzded]

When Judge Hankinson decided he was satisfied (it was a 3rd party-but who?) that her lawyers weren’t paid by the A’s, do we have any information about an investigation on the subject? Seems it wouldn’t be hard to look into his bank accounts unless the A’s transferred cash to KM’s lawyers. Perhaps the Judge couldnt find a $ trail?

The investigation into the source of payment for KM's legal fees was superficial and cursory. It wasn't a deep financial audit by a team of forensic accountants which can take months and cost a lot of money. The Magbanua's did not have money. They were unemployed, or low income earners. They did not have $1 million sitting in the bank waiting to spend on legal fees for a family member who was going to be found guilty.

I'm not sure what the judges motivation was to not do a financial audit, protect Kawass, to ensure that the legal processes weren't interfered with, cost reasons? Again, IMO, another example of a legal professional connected to this case not adhering to their ethical obligations and simply not doing the right thing and that list is growing longer....

 

[Knitpicker]

The investigation into the source of payment for KM's legal fees was superficial and cursory. It wasn't a deep financial audit by a team of forensic accountants which can take months and cost a lot of money. The Magbanua's did not have money. They were unemployed, or low income earners. They did not have $1 million sitting in the bank waiting to spend on legal fees for a family member who was going to be found guilty.

I'm not sure what the judges motivation was to not do a financial audit, protect Kawass, to ensure that the legal processes weren't interfered with, cost reasons? Again, IMO, another example of a legal professional connected to this case not adhering to their ethical obligations and simply not doing the right thing and that list is growing longer....

I think FM is an engineer. Since when is that a judges responsibility. Hankinson was more hands on than any of the other judges. He also allowed Q’s from jurors, which is how we found out Wendi turned a “friendship” into a love interest at the time she handed DM divorce papers. In other words, she already had someone lined up.
Yeah, something didn’t jive with the judge in that regard. Important stuff.

 

[LetsSolvIt]

Noticed Donna seems to have a manicure for her trip from Miami to Tallie. Wonder how she arranged that in jail?


Screen shot from tonight’s Surviving the Survivor (van video time stamp 2023):

 

[Knitpicker]

Noticed Donna seems to have a manicure for her trip from Miami to Tallie. Wonder how she arranged that in jail?

View attachment 577736
Screen shot from tonight’s Surviving the Survivor (van video time stamp 2023):

Gel manicure before she left for Vietnam-lasts for some almost 2 weeks.

 

[Ferpo]

Order was filed (denied) today by Judge Everett on the defense motion to suppress WA's book in DA trial. No change here, he's already denied a similar motion. The book can be used depending on WA's testimony in the trial.

And the complicated saga of getting KM to a deposition. Can't do it in her current facility or in the Ocala area, and she doesn't want to be detained in Leon County. Makes me wonder if KM wants to avoid being in the same facility as DA, even if they are separated, given DA's encounter with the two other inmates that had quoted KM. Compromise appears to be to hold her in Wakulla County (just south of Tallahassee; CA was here for a few weeks) and bring her up for the deposition.

Defense team has a chronic problem with spelling, e.g. "Geirgia". I assume they have a paralegal on staff but even if they don't, a spellchecker would have caught this. Just looks sloppy and unprofessional.

Finally, it looks like a Change of Venue motion has been filed, as expected, but the document is not available yet. DA defense team just "going through the motions" (pun intended) as they should.

 

[Knitpicker]

The investigation into the source of payment for KM's legal fees was superficial and cursory. It wasn't a deep financial audit by a team of forensic accountants which can take months and cost a lot of money. The Magbanua's did not have money. They were unemployed, or low income earners. They did not have $1 million sitting in the bank waiting to spend on legal fees for a family member who was going to be found guilty.

I'm not sure what the judges motivation was to not do a financial audit, protect Kawass, to ensure that the legal processes weren't interfered with, cost reasons? Again, IMO, another example of a legal professional connected to this case not adhering to their ethical obligations and simply not doing the right thing and that list is growing longer....

I have a question for you bc I finally found the Best Buy guys police report.
He said he was there from 8:20-9:15 (I think thats the time)
He stated that while he was there Wendi was texting someone who he thought was her brother.
We know she called CA after the guy left and spent 18 min’s on the phone with Charlie.
I don’t remember a log at trial where we viewed who she was texting while the BB guy was there.
Do you know who it was?
Or anyone else….

 

[Zedzded]

I have a question for you bc I finally found the Best Buy guys police report.
He said he was there from 8:20-9:15 (I think thats the time)
He stated that while he was there Wendi was texting someone who he thought was her brother.
We know she called CA after the guy left and spent 18 min’s on the phone with Charlie.
I don’t remember a log at trial where we viewed who she was texting while the BB guy was there.
Do you know who it was?
Or anyone else….

That's crazy that he was there for so long. He should have just walked in, seen the crack and gone "nah can't be fixed..."

Not sure who she was texted.

 

[Ferpo]

Not yet sure what this means but it sure seems like DA defense team wanted a different judge. Hopefully the Order is published soon.

 

[Niner]

View attachment 579616

Not yet sure what this means but it sure seems like DA defense team wanted a different judge. Hopefully the Order is published soon.

Maybe @PayrollNerd - could post what the Leon County [#23CF3226A] court site has? TIA!

 

[Seattle1]

A message from VINE​

04/21/2025

According to our records, someone with this email address is registered to receive status updates from the Florida VINE Service about offender KATHERINE MAGBANUA. This email is to inform you of additional information we have received about the person from Wakulla County Sheriff's Office.

We have automatically registered you for updates concerning this additional information. You may begin receiving these update notifications in addition to the status updates you already receive.

This offender is currently in custody.

For more information, contact Wakulla County Sheriff's Office. The telephone number is (850) 745-7100.

You can also visit www.vinelink.com and search for the offender.

Thank you,

The Florida VINE Service

A message from VINE​

04/21/2025

Thank you for registering for victim notification through the Florida VINE program.

This email is to inform you that KATHERINE MAGBANUA, with offender number U71543, has had a change in custody status. This offender is in court and has been transferred to Leon County Detention Facility as of 04/21/2025.

This offender will be kept in custody throughout the court proceedings. However, if a decision in the offender's favor is reached, please be aware that it is possible for the judge to release this offender directly from court or jail.

For more information, contact Leon County Detention Facility. The telephone number is (850) 606-3500. Victims can also contact the Victim Services Office of the Florida Department of Corrections by calling 1-877-884-2846 between the hours of 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday.

If you need immediate assistance, call the Florida VINE Service at 1-877-846-3435 and press zero (0) to speak to a VINE operator, or visit www.vinelink.com for the most current information regarding this offender's custody status.

Thank you,

The Florida VINE Service

 

[Seattle1]

A message from VINE​

04/22/2025

Thank you for registering for victim notification through the Florida VINE program.

This email is to inform you that KATHERINE MAGBANUA, with offender number WCSO25MNI001493, was released from custody on 04/22/2025. If you have any concerns about your immediate safety, contact your local law enforcement agency, or if you have an emergency, call 911.

For more information, contact Wakulla County Sheriff's Office. The telephone number is (850) 745-7100.

If you need immediate assistance, call the Florida VINE Service at 1-877-846-3435 and press zero (0) to speak with a VINE operator or visit www.vinelink.com for the most current information regarding this offender's custody status.

Thank you,

The Florida VINE Service

A message from VINE​

04/22/2025

Thank you for registering for victim notification through the Florida VINE program.

This email is to inform you that KATHERINE MAGBANUA, with offender number U71543, was returned to custody on 04/22/2025.

This offender is currently in custody at the following facility: Lowell Annex.

For more information, contact Lowell Annex. The telephone number is (352) 690-8900.

Victims can also contact the Victim Services Office of the Florida Department of Corrections by calling 1-877-884-2846 between the hours of 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday.

If you need immediate assistance, call the Florida VINE Service at 1-877-846-3435 and press zero (0) to speak to a VINE operator, or visit www.vinelink.com for the most current information regarding this offender's custody status.

Thank you,

The Florida VINE Service

 

[Seattle1]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1914780662986670407

 

[Seattle1]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1914339671879909753

 

[Ferpo]

As mentioned above by Seattle1, there is talk of a new trial date given the supposed 80K emails that the DA defense team needs to review. There is a 30-minute hearing on April 30 at 4 PM EDT on this subject. DA to attend via Zoom.

Also attached is the Order that denies Judge Everett himself to be removed from the case.

I can't see Judge Everett being pleased with either of these two items.

 

[Zedzded]

Why didn't the State release these emails earlier?

 

[Knitpicker]

Why didn't the State release these emails earlier?

Some are saying they couldn't get into the devices.

 

[Zedzded]

Some are saying they couldn't get into the devices.

Ah that makes sense. So they would have access to whatsapp, text messages too. Beautiful.