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

[LinasK]

Bet the first thing out of her mouth will be.... "but i wasn't ready to answer about testifying". and to her lawyers.... YOU know it would have been different if you let me testify.

VERY glad of the outcome, i think it is just. I am surprised at the speed, i thought there would be 1 that didn't want the 1st degree. Glad i was wrong. Markels need to go after visitation NOW for the kids.

As for Harvey, he didn't blink. More emotion from her 'friends' in the front row.

She was given her chance. It wasn't an open-ended offer. The lawyers don't "let" her testify. It's totally her decision. She could have overridden their advice.

 

[LinasK]

Will Donna be placed in the same observation cell as Charlie was put in after his verdict?

No doubt she'll get the suicide-taco green garb outfit.

 

[whitelilac]

Just got back after a couple of errands.
I've been following.
I am astounded the verdict came in so quickly ! I was expecting Monday or Tuesday.
Jury got it right.
Her gasping etc...what did she expect??? Totally delusional, typical of a person who believed she had it all figured out, a mastermind, a manipulative controller, an elitist better than everyone beneath her.

Please ....Wendi next

 

[alexwood]

No doubt she'll get the suicide-taco green garb outfit.

a/k/a: The Turtle Suit? As a matter of fact, she wore one (early on) in this very same case. She and the shell will be reunited -- as old familiar friends!

 

[loreet]

Will Donna be placed in the same observation cell as Charlie was put in after his verdict?

I am almost certain she will be placed in the women’s version of that solitary observation cell. Since there are fewer women in the county jail, the cell may not be as ‘worn’ as the corresponding men’s cell — Charlie complained numerous times about the feces and blood inside his observation cell and I expect less of that in the women’s cell. Sometimes inmates are sedated and placed under medical care after dramatic verdicts that they aren’t handling very well. I have heard of this in other jails around the country, but I’m not sure about this county. Charlie didn’t seem to have access to sedating medications, but they may treat Donna differently.

 

[ShadyLady]

I am almost certain she will be placed in the women’s version of that solitary observation cell. Since there are fewer women in the county jail, the cell may not be as ‘worn’ as the corresponding men’s cell — Charlie complained numerous times about the feces and blood inside his observation cell and I expect less of that in the women’s cell. Sometimes inmates are sedated and placed under medical care after dramatic verdicts that they aren’t handling very well. I have heard of this in other jails around the country, but I’m not sure about this county. Charlie didn’t seem to have access to sedating medications, but they may treat Donna differently.

I would love to see the conversations between Charlie and his mother. I think Wendi made her escape and wants nothing to do with them now. Will she change her name??

 

[Snoop Sister]

I still don’t understand why the defense requested that 2nd degree murder and manslaughter was taken off the jury verdict form. Were they believing that Donna would not be found guilty of 1st degree?

I wasn’t sure if there was enough evidence to convince the jury of 1st degree, but I am glad it was. Hopefully, Wendi is next as she definitely had involvement but covered her tracks a bit better.

 

[Luna20]

Was Judge E protecting the jurors from having to see Donna’s fake antics? I think Donna wanted the jurors to see her pain and make them doubt that they got it right. I’m surprised that she didn’t pretend to pass out.

 

[Missyrocks5]

So grateful for the smart jurors in Tally when you see so much craziness out there. Wonderful job by all. I am so happy for the Markels to see this day.

GO GET WENDI

 

[Snoop Sister]

So grateful for the smart jurors in Tally when you see so much craziness out there. Wonderful job by all. I am so happy for the Markels to see this day.

GO GET WENDI

Go Get Wendi is right!

 

[Niner]

Kind of late - but on Holiday!

Thursday, Sept. 4th:
*Trial continues (Day 9)-CLOSING ARGUMENTS & VERDICT REACHED!! (@ 9am 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] The State rested their case on 8/29/25. Defense began their case on 9/2/25 & rested their case on 9/3/25. Verdict: Guilty of all charges.
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 Days 1-7 (8/22-9/2/25) reference post #569 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/fl-f...son-upcoming-trial-4-guilty-27.751508/page-29
9/3/25 Wednesday, Trial Day 8: Defense witnesses: Kristin Adamson, who previously represented Wendi Adelson. Linda Bailey [testified with no jurors; she was sitting in the courtroom during "other" testimony. She was hired by the defense to evaluate if the divorce between Wendi & Dan was contentious.
*After hearing her testimony, outside the presence of the jury, the judge has called for a recess to make his decision. Prosecutors are asking the witness be “excluded.” If they get their way, the witness will not be allowed to testify for breaking the sequestration rules. However, the judge pointed out the Florida Supreme Court has found exclusion to be an “extreme” penalty. Judge Everett rules there has been a "second" violation of the sequestration rule by the defense. That said, Judge Everett rules that Bailey will be allowed to testify over the prosecution's objections.
Defense witness cont'd: Linda Bailey [in front of jury]. Marissel Descalzo, Donna’s former defense lawyer. Sara Newhouse from the Tallahassee Police Dept. [used to be a victim advocate for Wendi].
Donna says she will not testify to Judge Everett.
*The defense rests without calling another witness. The State said they will not be offering a rebuttal.
Closing arguments to begin on Thursday, 9/4/25.
*After lunch will find out whether or not Donna Adelson will testify.
[see post #649, page 33, thread 27 for Day 7 updates]. Trial continues on Thursday, 9/4/25.
9/4/25 Thursday, Trial day 9: Closing argument by Prosecutor Georgia Cappleman & defense attorney Jackie Fulford. And rebuttal by Cappleman.
Judge is reading the jury instructions to the jurors.
*Jury deliberated for 3 hours - Verdict: Guilty of first degree murder. Guilty conspiracy to commit. Guilty of solicitation.
Sentencing hearing on 10/14/25.

 

[Montrealaise]

That's the video I've been looking for! Love this for her.

She had it all - marriage to a very successful man, three intelligent and accomplished children, a high social standing in her community and a close-knit family. She threw it all away because of her pathological need for control.

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

Starting now...

Unanimous verdict female foreperson.

Guilty of first degree murder, "Mrs. Adelson control yourself."

Guilty conspiracy to commit.

Guilty of solicitation...

Guilty across the board.

Judge is not having her outburst. He is having the jury removed and he is going to hold her accountable for outburst. Yipes.

Thanks @kaen ….. and wanted to “bump” this thread in case anyone might have missed it.

Great job prosecutors, judge, and jury! That was swift and just IMO. MOO

 

[Montrealaise]

Was Judge E protecting the jurors from having to see Donna’s fake antics? I think Donna wanted the jurors to see her pain and make them doubt that they got it right. I’m surprised that she didn’t pretend to pass out.

So, manipulative to the very end.

 

[Snoop Sister]

She had it all - marriage to a very successful man, three intelligent and accomplished children, a high social standing in her community and a close-knit family. She threw it all away because of her pathological need for control.

Truly sad, isn’t it. And, all the families and children impacted because of her need for control and revenge.

 

[Luna20]

Guess Donna really didn't expect to be convicted.

She is accustomed to controlling everything. In her mind I think that she thought that she could manipulate her way out of it. She is used to getting her way.

All of the former court appearances she got to pretend-cry and sound so helpless. I think she thought that collectively she was fooling everyone across the board.

She has put herself and her son in prison. Harvey’s life will most likely be cut short and Wendi will have no family.

“Donna was it worth it”?

 

[loreet]

I would love to see the conversations between Charlie and his mother. I think Wendi made her escape and wants nothing to do with them now. Will she change her name??

check out the YouTube channel Phone Calls From Prison. There is an entire playlist of calls between Donna and Charlie after Charlie’s conviction. They spoke for many hours. Be forewarned: Charlie is obnoxiously self-absorbed and super repetitive. He bemoans losing the rest of his life and says nothing about Dan Markel’s loss of life. But it is fascinating to hear those 2, the narcissism and entitlement. Also you can hear The famous dropped call when Donna spoke about their plans to travel to a place with no extradition treaty with the United States when she thought law enforcement wasn’t listening.

 

[Montrealaise]

Truly sad, isn’t it. And, all the families and children impacted because of her need for control and revenge.

Two families destroyed - her own and the Markels.

 

[Montrealaise]

She is accustomed to controlling everything. In her mind I think that she thought that she could manipulate her way out of it. She is used to getting her way.

All of the former court appearances she got to pretend-cry and sound so helpless. I think she thought that collectively she was fooling everyone across the board.

She has put herself and her son in prison. Harvey’s life will most likely be cut short and Wendi will have no family.

“Donna was it worth it”

The judge saw right through her attempts at manipulation from the start.

 

[Luna20]

check out the YouTube channel Phone Calls From Prison. There is an entire playlist of calls between Donna and Charlie after Charlie’s conviction. They spoke for many hours. Be forewarned: Charlie is obnoxiously self-absorbed and super repetitive. He bemoans losing the rest of his life and says nothing about Dan Markel’s loss of life. But it is fascinating to hear those 2, the narcissism and entitlement. Also you can hear The famous dropped call when Donna spoke about their plans to travel to a place with no extradition treaty with the United States when she thought law enforcement wasn’t listening.

Thanks for the tip. I want to listen again now that she is cooked.