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

[Knitpicker]

Yup.

Motion hearing set

• July 11th, 2025 at 13 Hours in Room 3B
• Donna Adelson will attend in person
• This hearing is for 2 motions (Latin Kings? Change of Venue?)

Interesting characters in the State’s witness list

• 3 Adelson siblings: Charlie, Robert, and Wendi (How terrible will be their testimonies for their parents?)
• Drina Bernhardt (Who gave you a painting? Why? When? How?)
• Ryan Fitzpatrick
• Sigfredo Garcia (Just got his post conviction request for ballistic expert denied)
• Tara Kawass (Who paid for your fees in defense of Magbanua?)
• Katherine Magbanua (Who? How? When? Delivery of wet and stapled 100 dollar bills?)
• Francis Magbanua (What is your family income? Could you afford paying $100 thousands?)
• David Marcus (Attorney of Charlie, office mate of Magbanua lawyer Chris Decoste)
• Jerome Obed
• Scott Radius (Calls about flight to Vietnam to ultimately the Philippines)
• Luis Rivera (Transferred in the custody of the State of Florida since July 1st, 2025)
• June Umchinda (Charlie is the perfect boyfriend … but just for the murder)
• Sara Yousuf (Emails with dear Wendi … Wendi … Wendi!)

New deposition this late in the clock

• Donna takes the deposition of her son Robert Adelson
• Via Zoom on July 14th, 2025, 15 Hours 30 EST

Motion for change of venue

• Keep in mind that the Judge has not yet ruled about the motion for change of venue
• I expect it to be denied after the Judge succeeds to complete the voir dire of jurors

I think only KM, LR Ryan and June will testify out of that list. If all on the list were on the stand that would be amazing. Thx for the update and info.

 

[Wishbone]

dbm

 

[LinasK]

Innocent people can lie for reasons unrelated to guilt in a crime. Wendi might have lied about certain details (and I believe she did) to avoid looking suspicious, to protect her family, or simply to mange the stress and pressure of testifying under immunity. Fear of being misunderstood, especially in a high-profile murder case where her brother was convicted and mother will soon be, could lead her to stretch / shade the truth or blatantly and consciously lie without being involved in the plot. Also, incase you forgot, per Jeff, Wendi is a pathological liar that lies all the time and for no particular reason – so factor that into the equation

Disclaimer – in the opinion I am expressing above, I am NOT saying I believe Wendi is innocent. I am simply disagreeing the with statement that innocent people have no need to lie which as I interpret it implies that because she lied she is guilty. I completely disagree with that type of ascertain and just want to be crystal clear it not a statement in support of her innocence.

Guilty people will lie for all of the above reasons.

 

[apeXperience]

I think only KM, LR Ryan and June will testify out of that list. If all on the list were on the stand that would be amazing. Thx for the update and info.

It would be surprising if none of these interesting and newly listed (relative to prior Dan Markel murder trials) witnesses were not called to the stand

• Else, why the State would list them as Cat. A witness?
• Why would the defense attorneys go to the length of solidifying their deposition this late in this already slow process?
• For instance, Drina Bernhardt has been re-listed as Cat. A witness today
• And, the defense attorneys rushed to schedule her deposition for next week, among other witnesses (see attachments.)

 

[TwinkieDefense]

July 8, 2025 article

Donna Adelson’s children among nearly 60 on state witness list for upcoming murder trial

The State has filed its witness list for the upcoming murder trial of Donna Adelson, who’s accused of playing a role in the 2014 murder for hire of her former son-in-law, Dan Markel.

www.wctv.tv

[…]

A hearing this Friday will focus on two motions. However, the contents of those motions are unknown, as of Tuesday evening.

[…]

 

[Luna20]

Guilty people will lie for all of the above reasons.

We should get to see which one breaks the chain of lies to save themselves.

 

[TwinkieDefense]

Dbm - duplicate

 

[Knitpicker]

It would be surprising if none of these interesting and newly listed (relative to prior Dan Markel murder trials) witnesses were not called to the stand

• Else, why the State would list them as Cat. A witness?
• Why would the defense attorneys go to the length of solidifying their deposition this late in this already slow process?
• For instance, Drina Bernhardt has been re-listed as Cat. A witness today
• And, the defense attorneys rushed to schedule her deposition for next week, among other witnesses (see attachments.)

There were so many people on the states witness list for Charlies trial that never took the stand. People we were all looking forward to hearing from. Big surprise was Isom. Since he was on the stand for both KM trials. Also SG. I’ll try and find CA’s list online.

 

[Luna20]

Just saw first time footage released on CTv of DA in the transport van. Her hands are shaking but I don’t buy it. It’s in and out. She is playing mind games with her shock of how could she be guilty of anything. Very dramatic.

 

[Luna20]

Just saw first time footage released on CTv of DA in the transport van. Her hands are shaking but I don’t buy it. It’s in and out. She is playing mind games with her shock of how could she be guilty of anything. Very dramatic.

Donna in Distress: Court TV Obtains Shocking Adelson Body Cam Video

Court TV has obtained video of Donna Adelson's Nov. 2023 transfer from Miami to Tallahassee. She had to be taken to the hospital en route.

www.courttv.com

 

[Niner]

Friday, July 11th:
*Motions Hearing (@ 1pm 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. Transferred to Wakulla Detention Facility on 6/6/25). Held without bond (murder), $25K (conspiracy) & $25K (solicitation) on 11/21/23. Plead not guilty. Leon County
Jury selection set to begin on 8/19/25. [thru 8/23/25]
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 6/6/25 reference post #155 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/fl-f...-murdered-by-hitmen-4-guilty-26.739874/page-8
6/11/25 Update: Defense again asked for more discovery time. Adelson on Zoom with Just Stephen Everett presiding. Judge tells defense they have to specifically tell him what & why they need to extend the discovery deadline & make it specific. Defense will provide a flash drive to the Judge with all their exhibits, etc. on 6/13/25 hearing. Judge granted motion for judicial notice having to do with podcast broadcast news articles. Next motions hearing on 6/13/25.
6/13/25 Update: Adelson & her defense team were in court Friday, trying to convince a judge to move her upcoming murder for hire trial out of Tallahassee, citing “extensive” media coverage spanning nearly 11 years. Testimony in Friday’s change of venue hearing lasted nearly three hours, concluding with Leon County Circuit Judge Stephen Everett saying a written ruling will be issued once he reviews all the exhibits that were admitted as part of the hearing. James Todd Murphy, President of Truescope North America, was the only witness called to testify during Friday’s hearing. He is considered an expert in media intelligence & analysis. The judge did not specify a timeline for the written ruling, though he also indicated he may try & pick a jury before deciding on whether or not to move the venue. Next pretrial hearing on 8/8/25. Court Order from 5/29/25. 2nd Amended Order setting Court proceeding dates & procedures document see post #165, page 9, thread #26.
6/27/25 Docket update: State's Exhibit List filed by State Attorney Jack Campbell. [See post #181, page 10].
7/2/25 Docket update: Notice of filing defendant's Notice of filing. 7/3/25 Docket update: Motion to compel discovery, defendant's 2nd motion. 7/8/25 Docket updates: Witness list filed. Motion in Limine filed. Motion hearing set on 7/11/25 @ 1pm. Adelson will attend in person. This hearing is for 2 motions (Latin Kings? Change of Venue?). New deposition; Donna takes the deposition of her son Robert Adelson via Zoom on 7/14/25 @ 3:30pm. Motion for change of venue. Judge has not yet ruled about the motion for change of venue [see post #240, page 12].

 

[nodamselindistress]

DA is such a drama queen

 

[arielilane]

LIVE at 1pm ET: Adelson Matriarch Murder Trial — FL v. Donna Adelson — Motions Hea... https://youtube.com/live/0zgSmQinzn4?si=BUYTcZOxIiwEHQQ- via @YouTube

https://twitter.com/x/status/1943668328679281014

 

[Luna20]

LIVE at 1pm ET: Adelson Matriarch Murder Trial — FL v. Donna Adelson — Motions Hea... https://youtube.com/live/0zgSmQinzn4?si=BUYTcZOxIiwEHQQ- via @YouTube

https://twitter.com/x/status/1943668328679281014

Any news on how it went?

 

[Ferpo]

Any news on how it went?

Short hearing. Judge Everett extended the deadline for filing new motions to July 21 but firmly held on to the August 19 trial date.

 

[legalmomma]

I think this was the biggest issue arising from today’s hearing~ will yet another conflict arise from the discovery the defense requested??
_______

Judge in Donna Adelson trial orders state to turn over 'raw' data amid conflict concerns

Leon Circuit Judge Stephen Everett granted a motion by Donna Adelson's lawyers to compel the state to provide raw cellphone data amid conflict of interest concerns.

www.tallahassee.com

“As far as giving conflict-free representation to Mrs. Adelson, should anything change with your review of the Cellebrites that may include communications from prior counsel or deal with matters that pertain to information that’s provided by Charles Adelson, at that point we are going to have to revisit the issue,” Everett told the defense.

 

[Luna20]

I think this was the biggest issue arising from today’s hearing~ will yet another conflict arise from the discovery the defense requested??
_______

Judge in Donna Adelson trial orders state to turn over 'raw' data amid conflict concerns

Leon Circuit Judge Stephen Everett granted a motion by Donna Adelson's lawyers to compel the state to provide raw cellphone data amid conflict of interest concerns.

www.tallahassee.com

“As far as giving conflict-free representation to Mrs. Adelson, should anything change with your review of the Cellebrites that may include communications from prior counsel or deal with matters that pertain to information that’s provided by Charles Adelson, at that point we are going to have to revisit the issue,” Everett told the defense.

It sounds to me like DA is going to implicate someone-anyone that she can. Her request through her attorney’s have been very carved out. I don’t know if it’s her own denial or her masterminding of setting things in motion but she is definitely doubling down on getting out of it. She seems overconfident, just like she was in the plan to eliminate her son in law.

 

[Niner]

I think this was the biggest issue arising from today’s hearing~ will yet another conflict arise from the discovery the defense requested??
_______

Judge in Donna Adelson trial orders state to turn over 'raw' data amid conflict concerns

Leon Circuit Judge Stephen Everett granted a motion by Donna Adelson's lawyers to compel the state to provide raw cellphone data amid conflict of interest concerns.

www.tallahassee.com

“As far as giving conflict-free representation to Mrs. Adelson, should anything change with your review of the Cellebrites that may include communications from prior counsel or deal with matters that pertain to information that’s provided by Charles Adelson, at that point we are going to have to revisit the issue,” Everett told the defense.

So - according to this article - next hearing.

Everett told both sides that their motions need to be filed by July 21. He set Aug. 8 for the final pretrial hearing.

 

[LinasK]

So - according to this article - next hearing.

Everett told both sides that their motions need to be filed by July 21. He set Aug. 8 for the final pretrial hearing.

Oh GoodY! So there's finally some movement on Donna's trial. What's Charlie's status? Is he getting a re-trial because of Rashbaum? Haven't been closely following.

 

[LinasK]

It sounds to me like DA is going to implicate someone-anyone that she can. Her request through her attorney’s have been very carved out. I don’t know if it’s her own denial or her masterminding of setting things in motion but she is definitely doubling down on getting out of it. She seems overconfident, just like she was in the plan to eliminate her son in law.

Who can she implicate- Wendi or Harvey? She can't throw Charlie under the bus since he's already convicted can she???