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

[Kath1963]

I'll bet DA is just itching to get up there and testify. The arrogance that we have seen on display will convince her that if she just tells her side of the story, the jurors will sympathize with her, see that the prosecutors made a terrible mistake charging her and vote to acquit her ASAP.

As a general rule, it's a very bad decision to have someone accused of a capital crime testify on their own behalf, some defendants think they are so much smarter and clever than the jurors they'll be able to bamboozle them. The last person to try that was Erin Patterson, the infamous Australian mushroom murderer, who was recently convicted of three counts of first degree murder and one count of attempted murder.

I thought instantly of Alex Murdaugh in this regard. His testimony did him no good whatsoever, and he was an attorney, unlike Donna Adelson.

 

[GoJacks]

Bummer, was hoping she was going to testify.

That being said, I cannot believe she paid these attorneys real American dollars. Probably some of the worst I've ever watched and that's including public defenders. Jmo

 

[ShadyLady]

The shows are going to be off the wall tonight talking about this- just wow.

Love this Judge.....surely, this has become a comedy?

 

[ShadyLady]

Such unprofessional conduct from this defense team. Anyone watching this knows who NOT to hire if they need legal help

IMO, Donna has been directing this from the start. Almost have sympathy for defense lawyers.....NOT! haha

 

[LinasK]

Are we going to rehash all the details of WA and DM messy divorce fillings? Is the defense trying to make DM look bad and justify his murder? Why this is being brought up in such biased detail just doesn't seem right to me.....JMOO

That's a very typical defense strategy to drag the victim through the mud and try to justify the murder. Jodi Arias did it to Travis Alexander. It usually backfires.

 

[IQuestion]

Stay tuned!!!!

 

[ch_13]

That's a very typical defense strategy to drag the victim through the mud and try to justify the murder. Jodi Arias did it to Travis Alexander. It usually backfires.

It's so weird though, especially the way in opening arguments they were praising Dan to the high heavens. Talking about what a great academic he was and how much he loved his kids. It's like the defense has multiple personalities.

 

[Tortoise]

Stay tuned!!!!

I'm expecting Donna to put her hand up tomorrow morning and say Judge I've changed my mind, I'd like to testify.

 

[arielilane]

Judge Everett is bringing the jurors back in.
The defense has rested its case.
The trial will end tomorrow with closing arguments.
After that, the jury will deliberate on the fate of Donna Adelson.
Full recap:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1963323921777750516

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson


Each side will have 2 hours for closing arguments tomorrow.
The state will save some of its 2 hours for rebuttal closing.


5:02 PM · Sep 3, 2025

 

[clearskies1]

My opinion: Donna didn't want to take responsibility for the decision about testifying. It was her last decision and she couldn't face it. Judge had to force her to make a grown up decision. When she finally answered she qualified it with "at this time" -- "At this time, I don't want to testify." Meaning I will argue later that I wasn't given enough time to decide. JMO.

 

[nodamselindistress]

My opinion: Donna didn't want to take responsibility for the decision about testifying. It was her last decision and she couldn't face it. Judge had to force her to make a grown up decision. When she finally answered she qualified it with "at this time" -- "At this time, I don't want to testify." Meaning I will argue later that I wasn't given enough time to decide. JMO.

You nailed her with this post! It ran through my head when Judge gave them 5 minutes "there is not enough time for her to talk to 12 of her closest friends to see what she should do".

 

[opt]

Donna's only chance to avoid dying in prison was to testify and persuade the jury that she didn't know the plan. It's a very long shot, but she should have taken it. Her lawyers must be hoping for conviction on a lesser charge than first degree murder, but that would still leave her in jail for life or nearly so.

My opinion is not at all influenced by the fact that Georgia's cross-examination would have greatly entertained me.

 

[Tapeartree]

Donna's only chance to avoid dying in prison was to testify and persuade the jury that she didn't know the plan. It's a very long shot, but she should have taken it. Her lawyers must be hoping for conviction on a lesser charge than first degree murder, but that would still leave her in jail for life or nearly so.

My opinion is not at all influenced by the fact that Georgia's cross-examination would have greatly entertained me.

If DA did testify, could the state brought CA in as a rebuttal witness to her testimony? I just don't understand why CA was brought to Leon County Jail from out of state. It seems a waste of tax dollars.

 

[Zedzded]

Will we get a verdict this week?

 

[opt]

Will we get a verdict this week?

No. It's totally safe for Wendi to stay in town.

 

[Luna20]

She just said she isn't ready to make a decision!

It’s now or never. What did the judge say to that?

 

[Luna20]

That's a very typical defense strategy to drag the victim through the mud and try to justify the murder. Jodi Arias did it to Travis Alexander. It usually backfires.

They started off saying what an incredible man Dan was. The marriage counsellor spoke about how they were very amicable and worked together “Danny even invited WA to join him on an excursion with the kids”. How did they go from there to saying that he was problematic, overly dramatic, selfish, etc?

I didn’t know that in-laws offering to pay a spouse a million dollars to get what they want is very common and that it happens regularly.

 

[Wishbone]

It's so weird though, especially the way in opening arguments they were praising Dan to the high heavens. Talking about what a great academic he was and how much he loved his kids. It's like the defense has multiple personalities.

Yep, the defense is speaking out of both sides of their mouth! I'm looking forward to a quick verdict and then on to the rest of the filthy family.

 

[Ferpo]

If DA did testify, could the state brought CA in as a rebuttal witness to her testimony? I just don't understand why CA was brought to Leon County Jail from out of state. It seems a waste of tax dollars.

The State had no choice but to bring CA in. At the time, they had no idea on what type of defense would be put up by DA's team. CA's "double extortion" tall tale is an example of a story that was not known until trial start. They must have CA available if they need to counter a new narrative. Yes it costs but it's necessary.