FL - FSU Law Professor Dan Markel Murdered by Hitmen-Donna Adelson Upcoming Trial - *5 Guilty* #27

[opt]

I’m waiting for Harvey to be charged.

Would it be a good idea to try Wendi and Harvey together? Would they be able to force separate trials anyway?

 

[Kath1963]

She doesn’t have her earphones on again!

Is this now a requirement for the accused at criminal trials, or specific to this trial?

 

[Tanager]

I am still taking some time to adjust to the defense stance that DA was heartbroken by Dan's death as referenced in their opening statement, and I am trying to find new evidence to counter this ridiculous claim. I realize that there is quite a bit of established evidence that shows she hated him.

The fact that none of the Adelsons called the police after the bump was also evidence that they did not care about Dan, on top of showing that they were likely particpants in the murder. If they really cared about his death, and had nothing to do with it, then they would consider any bump-related communication as crucial evidence in the crime against Dan that the police could pursue. Innocent people would regard the bump as useful information about the original murder, as opposed to a oddly gentle and confusing extortion attempt for actions that they did not commit, and they would not be frightened by the prospect of the police fishing around. The terror and desire to solve the crime would drive them to the police. I guess they could claim they were afraid to contact the police either way, but I feel like the shortest path to safety for innocent people logically involved the police since they did not know who committed the crime and they could relay this important evidence related to Dan's murder. I guess this falls under the heading, "the absolute lack of interest in solving Dan's murder." They did nothing helpful. I'd like to ask DA what, exactly, she did to help solve the murder if she was so brokenhearted? I would be rabid for justice.

 

[Luna20]

The evidence today was certainly tedious, and it is possible (maybe even likely) that some members of the jury tuned out due to boredom. However, you shouldn't confuse this with "losing the jury" in the sense that the jury would be less likely to convict Donna. The public often view trials through the lens of the film and television productions that are neat, well scripted, easy to follow and even entertaining. However, there are a myriad of reasons the prosecution feels compelled to admit evidence like this because they have both the burden of proof and the responsibility of making sure the record is complete. This often results in bored juries, but such boredom generally does not meaningfully affect the jury's ultimate opinion on the case.

My criminal law professor was a masterful trial lawyer, and he taught us that we should open strong, put on an understandable prima facie case with our first witnesses and then not worry about putting the jury to sleep while getting in all the tedious evidence that was important for the record. His theory was that you then close your case strong with some powerful evidence and be prepared with a very compelling closing argument. Certainly, some attorneys would argue that Georgia didn't need to put in all the evidence today, but I don't think many experienced attorneys would feel anything today has increased the likelihood of acquittal even if it has put some jurors to sleep. In fact, I'd argue the opposite. The cumulative weight of the communications between Donna and Charlie was quite devastating and convincing with regard to her involvement in the ongoing conspiracy.

In any event, I expect the prosecution's presentation of the "script" Donna attempted to foist on a fellow inmate so she could lie under oath as well as the attempt to flee to a non-extraditable country will soundly put the final nails in her coffin if there is any doubt now.

I’m so curious about what they are going to say she was doing. Writing a play, helping her son deal with a toxic relationship, going along with it to see if her son was serious and if she needed to intervene?

She engaged at every step of the murder. She was so paranoid about getting caught

I’m waiting for Harvey to be charged.

If he is he won’t be sleeping in court anymore

 

[Luna20]

Is this now a requirement for the accused at criminal trials, or specific to this trial?

I’m inclined to say that it is specific to Donna. The judge is squashing any attempt of an appeal. ‘I couldn’t hear it so I have not been represented well’.

 

[Zedzded]

Would it be a good idea to try Wendi and Harvey together? Would they be able to force separate trials anyway?

I think now would be a good time for the State to use two people to help negotiate plea deals. Arrest them both and offer them deals, one or both would take it. That said once DA is convicted I think HA will unalive himself.

 

[LosAngeles]

I have to say, I'm super impressed of the judges control of this trial (vs. Randolph in Connecticut in the Troconis trial). He's professional, personable (did everyone have a cup of coffee?...gotta stay awake and listen to all of the lengthy testimony) and no nonsense (fix/wear your earphones MIssy Defendant). Looking forward to tomorrow's cross examination.

 

[vislaw]

Would it be a good idea to try Wendi and Harvey together? Would they be able to force separate trials anyway?

For purposes of judicial economy, joint trials are favored. Sometimes circumstances stand in the way (Lori and Chad Daybell were supposed to be tried jointly, but Lori's mental impairment stayed her proceedings so that the state had to proceed separately. I recently participated in a murder trial in Florida where two defendants were tried together but were given two separate juries who deliberated independently and there were times when one jury was removed because of some evidence not being usable against one of the defendants.

In most instances defendants will object to being tried together, but it will be up to the judge's discretion whether to grant a motion to sever.

 

[Baba O'Riley]

I know some may think the evidence presented today, especially the phone calls and transcripts, was very tedious, but I didn't. That may be due to the fact that I only became aware of this case in the last couple of weeks, and I am completely fascinated by it. So, I haven't been bored by reading and listening to the same evidence repeatedly. I can't get over how a family with so much career and financial success and had the best of everything life has to offer could be so malignant, narcissistic, and bloodthirsty as to kill the father of their children, nephews, and grandsons. And not because the dad was a bad guy, but just so the mother and the kids could live close to her parents? Or because she didn't like the city she was living in? Dr. Rob is the only shining light in this bunch. Throughout my long life, I have known some people who were the only ones in their highly dysfunctional families to escape the pathology of their home lives with a remarkable degree of outstanding character and personal resilience, and I have always felt a great deal of respect for them. I hope Dr. Rob writes a book.

 

[Zedzded]

I know some may think the evidence presented today, especially the phone calls and transcripts, was very tedious, but I didn't.

They certainly add a lot of context. Innocent people would never communicate with the fervour, voracity and sheer panic that the co-conspirators did. They would just go straight to the police.

 

[ch_13]

I have to say, I'm super impressed of the judges control of this trial (vs. Randolph in Connecticut in the Troconis trial). He's professional, personable (did everyone have a cup of coffee?...gotta stay awake and listen to all of the lengthy testimony) and no nonsense (fix/wear your earphones MIssy Defendant). Looking forward to tomorrow's cross examination.

Also very impressed with him from a legal standpoint.

Yesterday the defense tried to lodge an objection and cited a case as precedent. The judge replied that he had already reviewed that case as part of his own research, found that it didn't apply, and gave the reasons why. Then the judge cited a different case for the reason he ruled the way he did. The defense could only sputter and say that they weren't familiar with the case he cited.

The whole exchange was pretty amusing.

 

[Zedzded]

I can't get over how a family with so much career and financial success and had the best of everything life has to offer could be so malignant, narcissistic, and bloodthirsty as to kill the father of their children, nephews, and grandsons. And not because the dad was a bad guy, but just so the mother and the kids could live close to her parents? Or because she didn't like the city she was living in?

It's fascinating. How can 5 individuals, all well educated, successful with no criminal records and everything to lose murder an innocent man over something so trivial?

 

[DustysMom]

@cathyrusson


The fact that Charlie walked around free for 6 years after these wiretaps is crazy.


2:57 PM · Aug 28, 2025




Here's an example of the toll all those years took on Charlie Adelson from before the murder to his arrest.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1961141977740980589

I wouldn’t want him in my mouth.

 

[Zedzded]

Does anyone think that the State will not indict WA now? I would say after DA's trial, it seems inevitable she will be charged, there's so much damning evidence, albeit circumstantial, but damning nonetheless. And we haven't heard from SY yet. That will be the nail in WA's coffin.

I wonder also how WA will explain her having no contact with RA as well as the odd text messages she sent him. There are just too many coincidences and too many difficult questions that she has no answer for. Plus she has no credibility so calling witnesses testimony into question carries no weight.

 

[Zedzded]

I wouldn’t want him in my mouth.

Is that a typo!?

 

[minusfour]

Is that a typo!?

No, as a dentist, his hands in her mouth.

 

[Niner]

Friday, August 29th:
*Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 8:45am 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 began on 8/19/25 & ended on 8/21/25. Jury: 12 jurors & 2 alternates [8 men & 6 women]
Trial began on 8/22/25. [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 8/18/25 & Jury Selection Days 1-3 (8/19-21/25) & Trial Day 1-4 (8/22-27/25) reference post #233 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/fl-f...son-upcoming-trial-4-guilty-27.751508/page-12
8/28/25 Thursday, Trial Day 5: *Before the jurors were brought in, Judge Stephen Everett found that prosecutors had committed a discovery violation by failing to turn over an “enhanced” recording of one of the wiretaps. Plus, the state just provided some photos taken during a search warrant of Donna Adelson’s home in Miami back in 2023. As to whether it is prejudicial or trivial, the defense said it would need time to review the evidence. However, the judge said the defense was aware of the original recording & he gave them the lunch break to listen to the new version in private.
*Prosecutors are playing “enhanced” audio of a meeting between Charlie Adelson & Katherine Magbanua after an undercover federal agent “bumped” into Donna Adelson. Prosecutors also played a recorded conversation between Charlie & Donna & then another call between Magbaunua & Garcia. And more recordings of Charlie & Donna. Prosecutors introduced the "bump Letter" the undercover agents sent to the Adelsons.
State witness: FBI Special Agent Pat Sanford (lead agent) back on stand. And will continue on the stand on Friday.
[see post #254 page 13, thread 27 for Day 5 updates]. Trial continues on Friday, 8/29/25.

 

[Tortoise]

I was frustrated that they didn't put up or do a transcript of Charlie and Harvey's conversation in the restaurant, but now I'm wondering if they did that deliberately because they don't want Harvey to know what evidence they have against him. Leave him thinking it was indecipherable.

In general while the tapes are repetitive, I think they really demonstrated the pattern of who spoke to who in what order, as evidence of deliberate distancing between conspirators. If Donna had no part in the conspiracy for example she would have said to Charlie give me Katie's number because I need to speak to her to find out what she's been saying to cause this, etc.

IMO

 

[Zedzded]

I was frustrated that they didn't put up or do a transcript of Charlie and Harvey's conversation in the restaurant, but now I'm wondering if they did that deliberately because they don't want Harvey to know what evidence they have against him. Leave him thinking it was indecipherable.

I had read the Matsuri tapes were "damning", but was not blown away by what was said. I certianly wouldn't say it incriminated HA.

 

[mdwannabejd]

I think now would be a good time for the State to use two people to help negotiate plea deals. Arrest them both and offer them deals, one or both would take it. That said once DA is convicted I think HA will unalive himself.

I don’t think WA will be offered a deal. GC is waiting for her day in court against WA.

Out of the whole bunch WA is the one who deserves life in prison. Even if let out at 70, she plays sweet and innocent while narcissistic and diabolical. Shes the scariest kind of criminal. She could do something again.