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

[vislaw]

So the two big takeaways from today’s testimony to me were that the defense conceded Charlie was responsible for DM’s murder, making all the calls between DA and CA possibly related to the murder.
Second, that LR testified that it was Wendi that wanted DM murdered!

LR has consistently testified in all the trials that the murder was done "because the lady wanted to get her kids back" so that was pretty much expected. What was so interesting was seeing the defense sort of roll over and almost concede the point that Wendi's desires were a factor in the murder.

 

[Luna20]

I'm still feeling insulted after listening to the defense extol the virtues of the man their client helped to murder. I don't believe I have ever heard the defense drone on and on about all the positives the victim encompassed. The attorney was trying to make out like DA respected and cared about DM.Waiting for the some of those DA emails and texts demeaning DM. That should set the record straight about how DA really felt about DM. JMOO

It is so pathetic but the jury should figure out why they are doing that once they hear the emails. They want to show that he was such a nice guy that there was no reason to murder him. She just wanted to divorce the wonderful man and great father who her mother hated.

When WA was being questioned by LE right after the murder, she called DA and said “Mom, I need you to sit down, kids and I are ok but ‘Danny’ was killed”. It was an obvious and bad attempt to sound like they loved ‘Danny-boy’. WA was being so fake.

 

[Wishbone]

Judge asks Donna Adelson to control her emotions during testimony

The judge's comments came after the defendant cried during the start of testimony in her murder and conspiracy trial.

www.walb.com

 

[Zedzded]

LR has consistently testified in all the trials that the murder was done "because the lady wanted to get her kids back" so that was pretty much expected. What was so interesting was seeing the defense sort of roll over and almost concede the point that Wendi's desires were a factor in the murder.

I found that interesting also. Is that there strategy, Wendi planned it not Donna?

 

[SeesSeas]

LIVE! Donna Adelson Trial Day 1: Opening Statement Recap & Reaction​

Lawyer You Know
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[opt]

I found that interesting also. Is that there strategy, Wendi planned it not Donna?

The work of fiction is that Wendi and Charlie planned and executed it. Oh, and Harvey sent all the bad emails.

The pattern persists. Every defendant points fingers at everyone else. But for the first time one of those fingers points to Wendi.

I don't think the jury will buy this. It's too implausible.

 

[Billy The Necromancer]

She offered fellow inmates veneers if they lied for her!

 

[BUF]

What was so interesting was seeing the defense sort of roll over and almost concede the point that Wendi's desires were a factor in the murder.

After Donna realized that Wendi wasn’t going to testify for her (after all she had done for her), I had a feeling that Donna might try to place blame on her.

 

[shotgun09]

She offered fellow inmates veneers if they lied for her!

R E M 's " Shiny Happy People" comes to mind....

This case is wild

 

[legalmomma]

LR has consistently testified in all the trials that the murder was done "because the lady wanted to get her kids back" so that was pretty much expected. What was so interesting was seeing the defense sort of roll over and almost concede the point that Wendi's desires were a factor in the murder.

But I believe it was the first time he directly said it was Wendi that wanted DM killed:

“She continued with her questions, leading in a direction that seemed to try to implicate her client, Donna Adelson’s daughter, Wendi Adelson.

“The woman who wanted him killed was Wendi Adelson, correct?” she asked. Rivera said yes.

“It was she wanting her children, correct?” she asked. He said yes again.”

Hitman testifies Friday in Donna Adelson trial after judge nearly stops testimony due to objections

The first day of testimony in the murder and conspiracy trial of Donna Adelson was marked with a constant back-and-forth between the prosecution and defense with multiple objections and a frustrated judge threatening to send the jury home early.

www.wctv.tv

 

[MMurphy]

Judge asks Donna Adelson to control her emotions during testimony

The judge's comments came after the defendant cried during the start of testimony in her murder and conspiracy trial.

www.walb.com

Maybe he was afraid that she would go into the 'van episode' when she was shaking and wanted to stop it before it got too far. I think that was so fake and seems like she is a good actress like her daughter.

 

[Zedzded]

But I believe it was the first time he directly said it was Wendi that wanted DM killed:

“She continued with her questions, leading in a direction that seemed to try to implicate her client, Donna Adelson’s daughter, Wendi Adelson.

“The woman who wanted him killed was Wendi Adelson, correct?” she asked. Rivera said yes.

“It was she wanting her children, correct?” she asked. He said yes again.”

Yeah I don't understand this strategy by the defence. Is it throwing WA under the bus or is it simply showing that DA was not responsible? I'm surprised Fulford asked that question.

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

LR has consistently testified in all the trials that the murder was done "because the lady wanted to get her kids back" so that was pretty much expected. What was so interesting was seeing the defense sort of roll over and almost concede the point that Wendi's desires were a factor in the murder.

Yes, this is interesting @vislaw ….. and information found in an online article on CNN IMO seems to tie DA, CA, and maybe WA to this?

CNN online August 22, 2025 article by Lauren de Valle and Jean Casarez entitled ‘A law professor was stalked and killed by hit men. His former mother-in-law is now on trial for the 2014 contract killing’:

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/21/us/donna-adelson-murder-trial-dan-markel

Found these two statements in the referenced article interesting:

“Florida prosecutors say Donna Adelson was the architect of a plan to remove Markel from the equation, determined to have her daughter and grandsons near her.

In emails around the time of the divorce, Donna Adelson suggested that Wendi Adelson offer her ex-husband $1 million to let the kids relocate. Donna said she’d split the cost with Wendi and her brother Charles, who was also willing to chip in, according to records put in evidence at Charles’ trial.”

Hopefully more will be revealed on this during the trial. And perhaps beyond that. And one has to wonder what was WA reaction to that apparent proposal?

Granted I am way behind today…… And thank you to all the fellow sleuths keeping us updated! MOO

 

[Zedzded]

It's interesting that in the defence's opening they (obviously) mentioned the State did not have the evidence to convict her and are mistaken. If that's the case why arrest her after 11 years? If they were going to arrest her with not enough evidence they could have done that 10 years ago!

 

[Teche]

There may be some sympathy simply as a human response to seeing another human in distress, but such sympathy has very little bearing on the jury's opinion on the primary question of her participation in the conspiracy. Studies on jury behavior show that the more important consideration is whether a jury LIKES a defendant and it is difficult to see how this particular expression of emotion can move the needle on likeability given how extraordinary the evidence is of Donna's mean, vile, vengeful personality. The jury could have some sense of pity as to her plight, but it is going to be very hard to kindle any affinity for her under these circumstances. If there was ANY evidence of Donna having respect or appreciation for Dan or any kindness or sympathy expressed to his parents it would be different. Her attorney's emphatic statements of value and sympathy for "Danny" simply emphasize the complete lack of anything of the sort on the part of Donna Adelson.

Ridiculous that the defense attorney referred to DM as Danny.

 

[Teche]

She offered fellow inmates veneers if they lied for her!

It reminds me of the actor Matt Dillon’s teeth in the movie, Something About Mary-huge veneers.

 

[alexwood]

Is the tactic going to be that Wendy will try to pretend that it was not Donna who sent the emails? That it is a Joint email account and she will pretend that it was Harvey? They could even call him to lie and say it was him who sent those emails. I don't think that's going to help, but it would not surprise me. The argument is that they don't have the proof to tie it to Donna so that seems to fit right in.

Well, seeing as Harvey Adelson didn't even have the wherewithal to get himself back from the airport when Donna was arrested, I don't think he was too tech savvy. (I know, Donna was just trying to make it appear that Harvey needed her guidance and direction to navigate life, and so they shouldn't arrest her.)

 

[legalmomma]

Yeah I don't understand this strategy by the defence. Is it throwing WA under the bus or is it simply showing that DA was not responsible? I'm surprised Fulford asked that question.

I think they have gone to the “anyone but my client” defense which includes Wendi and Charlie

 

[noZme]

Well, seeing as Harvey Adelson didn't even have the wherewithal to get himself back from the airport when Donna was arrested, I don't think he was too tech savvy. (I know, Donna was just trying to make it appear that Harvey needed her guidance and direction to navigate life, and so they shouldn't arrest her.)

 

[Luna20]

What about the position that the defense is taking? Are they trying to imply it was WA and CA or are they just skimming through without focusing on CA and WA? It seems like DA is ok turning on them, put it on anybody but herself. I believe strongly that she was the master planner for eliminating DM.

It’s hard to believe a mother would do that but maybe she hadn’t really been a good mother all along. I can see that she is manipulative, bossy, selfish, and hateful. I wonder if CA and WA are subconsciously resentful of DA.