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

[Montrealaise]

Save himself? How? If Charlie somehow got a new trial, he could flip on Wendi and Harvey, but would his testimony have any value after he lied endlessly in his first trial?

It might not get him a new trial or a lesser sentence, but he has to be asking himself - why am I going to spend the rest of my life in prison while my sister, who benefitted from my actions, is free to enjoy her own life? Doubly so if Donna is somehow acquitted.

 

[Montrealaise]

Yes, WA is the product of an overly doting parent. All her life, she was more likely coddled and pampered. IMO, DM married a spoiled child. This case is so sad on many levels.

A few years ago, I read a newspaper article (I'm sorry, I don't remember which paper) which interviewed someone who knew the family quite well. He said that he was taken aback when he visited one room and saw that DA and HA had covered the walls with pictures of WA, from babyhood to the present. He said it reminded him of a shrine.

 

[ShadyLady]

A few years ago, I read a newspaper article (I'm sorry, I don't remember which paper) which interviewed someone who knew the family quite well. He said that he was taken aback when he visited one room and saw that DA and HA had covered the walls with pictures of WA, from babyhood to the present. He said it reminded him of a shrine.

No wonder she feels so entitled. She asks....and they do.

Trial on Wednesday?

 

[rescuemom]

Wendi almost certainly knew in advance, and she definitely was a primary motivator. We all know people who will complain incessantly until they get what they want.

Prosecutors will have more difficulty convicting Wendi than the others. Let alone Harvey.

We know that Wendi got the money from Dan's life insurance. She is supposed to use if for the benefit of the boys. As a practical matter, how is Wendi prevented from using that money to pay her attorneys?

There is nothing to prevent her from using any money in any fashion. Maybe no conviction for either WA or HA but drain their resources and shame them into oblivion but anyone who thinks murder is a solution for your inconvenience is shameless.

I wonder about her boys. Are they following the family gene of privilege and selfishness or have they had an exposure to real people? Did WA even want children or is that what she was supposed to do?

Not much is known about CA's son Roman?? How old is he and who is his mother? DA wasn't as dedicated to him, was she?

 

[rescuemom]

I live in Fl and have lived in three very different areas and had parents in Naples Florida as well. The developers have indeed constructed communities, many of them gated that are marketed to various demographics. It is no coincidence that many of them include Golf Courses and country clubs. A lot of that has aged badly as really nobody plays golf or can afford such amenities. Properties that fall below the level of a Jeff Bezos lifestyle have attracted either foreign investment or Wall Street investors. If it is a middle class gated community with HOA, the percentage of rentals has gone way up and Wall Street REIT's own a lot of it. It is not all 1950's glamour any longer.

Agree. We had 2 HOAs, 1 to the 'master' assoc and 1 to our 'neighborhood' assoc on 4 PGA 18-hole golf courses with club house who couldn't keep a decent chef or staff and of course a management co that liked to fine you for placing your garbage can at the street before dusk. With taxes and insurance it cost over 2k a month just to live there.

Husband finally decided he was not going to become a golf pro from playing 4 times a week and decided he wanted to become a farmer like our mid west ancestors. He traded the club cart and Corvette in for a tractor, pick up and side by side. We left when the market was good and bought 27 acres of fenced land, 6000 sq ft house and barn in north Florida complete with our own goats and chickens. Our neighbors are a big herd of Waygu/Angus cows, and no one tells us what we can or can't do. A great investment cause HE is not making more land for anybody anywhere.

 

[Knitpicker]

IMO, this seems a generous assumption considering Dan's age and occupation at a State University where employees are covered by the Florida Retirement System --i.e., exempt from FICA, and only Medicare contributions are withheld from their paychecks.

For example, to qualify for $5,108, the maximum Social Security benefit in 2025, you must have earned the maximum taxable income for 35 years and delayed claiming your retirement benefits until you reached age 70.

Survivors Benefits:

There is a total limit on the amount a family can receive in benefits from one deceased worker's earnings history. This limit is set by a complex formula and typically ranges from 150% to 188% of the deceased's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). The PIA is the amount the parent was entitled to receive at their full retirement age. An eligible child can receive up to 75% of their deceased parent's primary insurance amount (PIA).
Example:

• A deceased parent had a PIA of $2,000.
  
  
• Two children are eligible for survivor benefits.
• Each child's individual benefit would be $1,500 (75% of $2,000).
  
  
• The family maximum for this parent's record is $3,200 (160% of $2,000, for example).
  
  
• Because $1,500 + $1,500 = $3,000, which is less than the $3,200 family maximum, each child would receive $1,500.
  
  
• If the family maximum was $2,600 instead, and two children were eligible for $1,500 each, then the total would be $3,000. To meet the $2,600 family maximum, the Social Security Administration would reduce each child's benefit by an equal amount until the total payout reached $2,600.

https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10085.pdf

Social Security benefits for the child of a deceased parent

The loss of a breadwinning parent can put a great deal of emotional and financial stress on a child. If the deceased parent had enough work credits, however, the child may qualify for Social Security survivor benefits until adulthood—or longer if they are disabled.

www.thrivent.com

I’m not making an assumption. For those of us following the case we know it’s around 2500 for each child.
Its been stated for the over almost 4 years I’ve followed the case and if I’m not mistaken Georgia has stated this on the stand. Don’t have the time to find the testimony/reference right now.

 

[rescuemom]

IMO, this seems a generous assumption considering Dan's age and occupation at a State University where employees are covered by the Florida Retirement System --i.e., exempt from FICA, and only Medicare contributions are withheld from their paychecks.

For example, to qualify for $5,108, the maximum Social Security benefit in 2025, you must have earned the maximum taxable income for 35 years and delayed claiming your retirement benefits until you reached age 70.

Survivors Benefits:

There is a total limit on the amount a family can receive in benefits from one deceased worker's earnings history. This limit is set by a complex formula and typically ranges from 150% to 188% of the deceased's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). The PIA is the amount the parent was entitled to receive at their full retirement age. An eligible child can receive up to 75% of their deceased parent's primary insurance amount (PIA).
Example:

• A deceased parent had a PIA of $2,000.
  
  
• Two children are eligible for survivor benefits.
• Each child's individual benefit would be $1,500 (75% of $2,000).
  
  
• The family maximum for this parent's record is $3,200 (160% of $2,000, for example).
  
  
• Because $1,500 + $1,500 = $3,000, which is less than the $3,200 family maximum, each child would receive $1,500.
  
  
• If the family maximum was $2,600 instead, and two children were eligible for $1,500 each, then the total would be $3,000. To meet the $2,600 family maximum, the Social Security Administration would reduce each child's benefit by an equal amount until the total payout reached $2,600.

https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10085.pdf

Social Security benefits for the child of a deceased parent

The loss of a breadwinning parent can put a great deal of emotional and financial stress on a child. If the deceased parent had enough work credits, however, the child may qualify for Social Security survivor benefits until adulthood—or longer if they are disabled.

www.thrivent.com

I hope the boys are being taken care of and wish them only the best. If what you say is correct and I certainly don't know differently, that would hardly cover WAs spa treatments, hair extensions and Botox. Not to mention her blue contacts.

I don't mean to be disparaging of the widow but she is not a likeable person and I know she has attempted employment over the years but the reputation she has earned will only continue to become a hardship for her as she ages out of the job market. Maybe her situation is too messy for some fields as well as being 'arm candy' for some lucky fella. I'm already beginning to feel sorry for her.

 

[Knitpicker]

I hope the boys are being taken care of and wish them only the best. If what you say is correct and I certainly don't know differently, that would hardly cover WAs spa treatments, hair extensions and Botox. Not to mention her blue contacts.

I don't mean to be disparaging of the widow but she is not a likeable person and I know she has attempted employment over the years but the reputation she has earned will only continue to become a hardship for her as she ages out of the job market. Maybe her situation is too messy for some fields as well as being 'arm candy' for some lucky fella. I'm already beginning to feel sorry for her.

Last I checked she was making 165K a year in that non profit immigration org. The one where recent photos have emerged of her in a red dress with George. I’m not sure I can post the link to the organization here.

 

[Wishbone]

I hope the boys are being taken care of and wish them only the best. If what you say is correct and I certainly don't know differently, that would hardly cover WAs spa treatments, hair extensions and Botox. Not to mention her blue contacts.

I don't mean to be disparaging of the widow but she is not a likeable person and I know she has attempted employment over the years but the reputation she has earned will only continue to become a hardship for her as she ages out of the job market. Maybe her situation is too messy for some fields as well as being 'arm candy' for some lucky fella. I'm already beginning to feel sorry for her.

I can imagine how the boys are being taken care of by that filthy family poisoning their minds and teaching them to hate their father's family. JMOO

 

[SubtlePseudonym]

Certainly possible. But she definitely would be aware of that possibility.

WA is hoping she is wire tapped, and phone record investigated, since Charlie conviction. You can bet she spends a lot of time texting and saying self serving things for this purpose…her Sons are probably the only ones that have seen her off guard in the last few years.

 

[SubtlePseudonym]

I am guessing WA closest friends at the time of the Murder have the potential to be linchpins either way on if she gets indicted or not. We have not heard for any of them yet in court!! There has to be some information with those friends.

 

[STAGNUM]

Agree. We had 2 HOAs, 1 to the 'master' assoc and 1 to our 'neighborhood' assoc on 4 PGA 18-hole golf courses with club house who couldn't keep a decent chef or staff and of course a management co that liked to fine you for placing your garbage can at the street before dusk. With taxes and insurance it cost over 2k a month just to live there.

Husband finally decided he was not going to become a golf pro from playing 4 times a week and decided he wanted to become a farmer like our mid west ancestors. He traded the club cart and Corvette in for a tractor, pick up and side by side. We left when the market was good and bought 27 acres of fenced land, 6000 sq ft house and barn in north Florida complete with our own goats and chickens. Our neighbors are a big herd of Waygu/Angus cows, and no one tells us what we can or can't do. A great investment cause HE is not making more land for anybody anywhere.

Very good decision to switch gears like that. We need more farmers than golf pro's.

I live in a small bedroom community outside Orlando (Seminole County), the past City administration bought the country club/golf course from its big golf community because it was unprofitable and developers were going to build townhomes which bothered the residents there. But that was the deal they bought into.

The city spent Citywide stormwater fees buying the place, reportedly it was a loan for the enterprise, but then quietly forgave the loan. I caught ex-mayor in a lie by reading the budget reports where one year they say the loan is to be paid the next year and in the next year the money is not on the line items. He conceded it was forgiven after repeatedly arguing how self sustaining the enterprise was. . So we have stormwater problems that are not addressed due to money shortage and I doubt the golf course is making a profit, This all done to garner votes for the past mayor. He still gets a ton of support from the neighborhood there. If it is so profitable, the city should sell it off and fix the stormwater and water systems. But they won't because it is worthless.

 

[Orange Tabby]

There’s been some discussion of why Judge Everett put Donna under oath outside the presence of the jury and asked her if she agreed with what her lawyers were going to argue concerning the jailhouse snitches.

I believe it was after the direct examination of the handwriting expert, that one of Donna’s lawyers declined the right to cross-examine, saying in open court, “We have never contested that our client wrote that document. No questions.”

If the defense is not going to deny that Donna wrote that script they are going most of the way to admitting to subornation of perjury, which of course is a crime. Maintaining she did so at the behest of her prison “Sunshine” wouldn’t convince a pre-teen. I think Judge Everett wanted to forestall Donna later in a possible appeal claiming that she didn’t know her lawyers would actually admit that she’d committed a crime. Arguing it was Sunshine’s fault (and her idea??) will make the defense look even more absurd than we’ve seen thus far and probably requires Donna to testify to this fact.

 

[JerseyPride]

GAME OVER FOR WENDI
Testimony from this trial is devastating for Wendi Adelson, but not for the reason people seem to be emphasizing.

Before this trial, we already knew that Wendi and Charlie gave conflicting testimony about the substance of their 18 minute phone call on the morning of the murder.

According to WA, they simply discussed the broken television and whether to have it repaired. According to CA, they were discussing WA’s objection to Dan Markel wanting to take his sons swimming that afternoon.

We now know from this trial that WA was actually texting back and forth with Dan Markel about the “swimming dispute” WHILE SHE WAS ON THE PHONE WITH CHARLIE. We also know that contemporaneous with her conversation with Charlie, WA relented and agreed to let Dan take the boys swimming.

In my opinion, this strongly indicates the following: 1) WA was aware that the murder was to take place and was very worried it would not be done by the time Dan was driving around with the boys, 2) Charlie assured Wendi that the murder was moments away and that she had nothing to worry about, and 3) WA relented on the issue contemporaneous with her conversation with Charlie because she knew it would soon be a moot issue.

Ironically, WA’s testimony that she and Charlie only discussed the TV makes the above 3 points seem even more likely because it shows her awareness of how damaging that conversation is, and hence, her consciousness of guilt. If she just admitted she discussed the swimming issue with Charlie, that would have actually made her look less guilty.

I expect the usual Wendi-skeptic to continue to minimize how much the evidence from this trial damns her. I won’t be engaging with them because I am convinced that they lack good faith.

While a WA guilty verdict certainly cannot be assumed, there is no longer any question in my mind that she will be charged.

“This is so sweet.” [deleted]

Indeed.

 

[Luna20]

OPT....that is a really good question!
"Yes, I lied to protect my mother and sister. But, I now realize they were setting me up to take the fall if everything went South. My mother forced me to use her handpicked attorney! My sister even tried to set up JeffL, too....just ask him! I was a conduct disordered kid who would do anything to try and get my parent's love and approval. I struggled all my life, trying twice as hard to prove I was half as good as my siblings."
(I could almost feel sorry for him, except I have listened to his convos....he's nasty.)
edited to add: I have a lot more "sympathy excuses" for CA's new trial, if he gets one.
I have a low self-esteem and a big paycheck....so I buy fancy cars to get girls to notice me, etc.
I wanted a go-kart racetrack in my back yard...but there wasn't any room after the tennis court was built....sob, sob.

Another scenario could arise. After Donna’s death, CA can say that his mother was guilty but that he didn’t want her to be in prison.

 

[Missyrocks5]

GAME OVER FOR WENDI
Testimony from this trial is devastating for Wendi Adelson, but not for the reason people seem to be emphasizing.

Before this trial, we already knew that Wendi and Charlie gave conflicting testimony about the substance of their 18 minute phone call on the morning of the murder.

According to WA, they simply discussed the broken television and whether to have it repaired. According to CA, they were discussing WA’s objection to Dan Markel wanting to take his sons swimming that afternoon.

We now know from this trial that WA was actually texting back and forth with Dan Markel about the “swimming dispute” WHILE SHE WAS ON THE PHONE WITH CHARLIE. We also know that contemporaneous with her conversation with Charlie, WA relented and agreed to let Dan take the boys swimming.

In my opinion, this strongly indicates the following: 1) WA was aware that the murder was to take place and was very worried it would not be done by the time Dan was driving around with the boys, 2) Charlie assured Wendi that the murder was moments away and that she had nothing to worry about, and 3) WA relented on the issue contemporaneous with her conversation with Charlie because she knew it would soon be a moot issue.

Ironically, WA’s testimony that she and Charlie only discussed the TV makes the above 3 points seem even more likely because it shows her awareness of how damaging that conversation is, and hence, her consciousness of guilt. If she just admitted she discussed the swimming issue with Charlie, that would have actually made her look less guilty.

I expect the usual Wendi-skeptic to continue to minimize how much the evidence from this trial damns her. I won’t be engaging with them because I am convinced that they lack good faith.

While a WA guilty verdict certainly cannot be assumed, there is no longer any question in my mind that she will be charged.

“This is so sweet.” [deleted]

Indeed.

Yup. Anyone who thinks that either people close to her and/or defense adjacent folks aren't posting on here and/or social media still believes in the tooth fairy.

That's an interesting take you have on what happened that morning. I thought that, just like she purposely gave her family and Charlie as potentials that day in her effort to seem honest and not involved, I think she did the same thing with the text fight with Dan. She does the opposite of what would be expected so she can say, if I knew Dan was getting whacked, I certainly would not have been fighting texting with him that morning. It would've looked more suspicious for her to be nice and easy with him that morning, so the smart thing was to fight with him.

Also, I do not think it is a coincidence that she purposely set up a perfect way to make sure she could keep tabs on him that morning. She knew he was going to be all over that school situation for their son so she purposely put him off all week long and didn't speak to him. She saw him at Whole Foods two days before and walked away to go to a different restaurant. She waited until murder day to all of a sudden pop up to discuss it with him. She purposely didn't answer the phone when he called that morning 1- so that she didn't have to speak to him knowing he was going to be dead & to not give anything away since he knew her so well, and 2- also so that he would leave a voicemail message telling her exactly where he was and the timing of it.

She then passed it along to Charlie.

 

[ar3593]

I’m not making an assumption. For those of us following the case we know it’s around 2500 for each child.
Its been stated for the over almost 4 years I’ve followed the case and if I’m not mistaken Georgia has stated this on the stand. Don’t have the time to find the testimony/reference right now.

$2500 each sounds right to me actually. My best friend's son receives in the $2,000 range from what I remember her telling me (father who was a professional with addiction issues, died from a drug overdose). Also, my ex-husband who was remarried and had another child; the mother/his new wife, died from breast cancer and the amount is also around $2200. It was way more than I ever expected,

 

[Seattle1]

I hope the boys are being taken care of and wish them only the best. If what you say is correct and I certainly don't know differently, that would hardly cover WAs spa treatments, hair extensions and Botox. Not to mention her blue contacts.

I don't mean to be disparaging of the widow but she is not a likeable person and I know she has attempted employment over the years but the reputation she has earned will only continue to become a hardship for her as she ages out of the job market. Maybe her situation is too messy for some fields as well as being 'arm candy' for some lucky fella. I'm already beginning to feel sorry for her.

I doubt Dan's boys have ever wanted for anything, nor do I doubt the boys are receiving $5K on behalf of Dan. I only questioned that given the facts, whether this entire amount was being paid by the Social Security Administration, as stated by the OP.

Dan Markel - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Knitpicker]

GAME OVER FOR WENDI
Testimony from this trial is devastating for Wendi Adelson, but not for the reason people seem to be emphasizing.

Before this trial, we already knew that Wendi and Charlie gave conflicting testimony about the substance of their 18 minute phone call on the morning of the murder.

According to WA, they simply discussed the broken television and whether to have it repaired. According to CA, they were discussing WA’s objection to Dan Markel wanting to take his sons swimming that afternoon.

We now know from this trial that WA was actually texting back and forth with Dan Markel about the “swimming dispute” WHILE SHE WAS ON THE PHONE WITH CHARLIE. We also know that contemporaneous with her conversation with Charlie, WA relented and agreed to let Dan take the boys swimming.

In my opinion, this strongly indicates the following: 1) WA was aware that the murder was to take place and was very worried it would not be done by the time Dan was driving around with the boys, 2) Charlie assured Wendi that the murder was moments away and that she had nothing to worry about, and 3) WA relented on the issue contemporaneous with her conversation with Charlie because she knew it would soon be a moot issue.

Ironically, WA’s testimony that she and Charlie only discussed the TV makes the above 3 points seem even more likely because it shows her awareness of how damaging that conversation is, and hence, her consciousness of guilt. If she just admitted she discussed the swimming issue with Charlie, that would have actually made her look less guilty.

I expect the usual Wendi-skeptic to continue to minimize how much the evidence from this trial damns her. I won’t be engaging with them because I am convinced that they lack good faith.

While a WA guilty verdict certainly cannot be assumed, there is no longer any question in my mind that she will be charged.

“This is so sweet.” [deleted]

Indeed.

Didn’t Charlie say that he was discussing with Wendi his argument or relationship problems with Katie? I remember that. Or maybe Wendi said it at the first KM trial.

 

[Knitpicker]

$2500 each sounds right to me actually. My best friend's son receives in the $2,000 range from what I remember her telling me (father who was a professional with addiction issues, died from a drug overdose). Also, my ex-husband who was remarried and had another child; the mother/his new wife, died from breast cancer and the amount is also around $2200. It was way more than I ever expected,

I didn’t just make up that amount lol. It was 2400 each boy I think.