FL - FSU Law Professor Dan Markel Murdered by Hitmen-Donna Adelson Upcoming Trial - *5 Guilty* #28

[Wishbone]

I have wondered about this too! WA even asks the same thing a few times during her police interview with Detective Isom. One thing I have thought is maybe LE learned very quickly who she was (maybe from neighbor who called 911? or just a LE search of some sort? and once they had her name they looked up vehicle/plate info and had other LE be on lookout for her car and one of them found it at that restaurant??

During his testimony the officer at the crime scene tape said he notified the detective that a car matching the description of the car info he was told watch for had been seen turning around. Remains to be seen if that detective had her car followed but it makes sense. JMOO

 

[Knitpicker]

I'm not sure why Donna was cuffed, but I did notice that when the jury came in to deliver the verdict, the judge told the courtroom that no one was to stand as they entered.

I wondered about that at the time, but now I think that was to hide the fact that Donna was cuffed. Her arms were below the desk, so the jury couldn't see that she was restrained. At least not until she started throwing her tantrum and tried to throw her arms in the air.

Also, just after the verdict it did look like she wanted to walk over to Harvey, but the deputies stopped her and led out of the courtroom.

No a jury’s job is finished when they reach a verdict so you stop standing for them the last time they come into the courtroom to deliver the verdict,

 

[Knitpicker]

I can’t remember the exact dates in proximity to the murder because it’s been 11 years. But, I was living in Tallahassee at the time of the murder (I was a 30 yr resident of north Florida before moving to Georgia in late 2104). Both my children are FSU grads. Dan Markel’s murder was such a shock to me and I’ve followed ever since. I seem to remember that there was some info that came out in press reports rather early about the very contentious post-divorce. Also, I remember people were “floating” alternate theories. I recall noise from South Florida about a disgruntled person on his law blog. Also, floating a “theory” about some Jewish people he defended or was associated with in New York. I can’t remember the details, and I’m sure what I stated is not completely accurate. BUT, it struck me as very curious all this noise was coming from South Florida where the in-laws reside. Needless to say, in 2016 when the hitmen were identified and the link to the Maestro down south, I was NOT surprised. Somebody had their lawyer protesting too much.

Do you mean the NJ Rabbis case?

 

[Knitpicker]

The case against WA is stronger now than pre DA's trial. I think they have enough now to charge her with murder, cons, solic. I think the State would consider a plea deal, but I think WA, like her family, is so deluded and narcissistic she will relish the chance of defeating the State in court. And speculation on my part, but I would not be surprised if Lauro is (like Kawass and Rashbaum and Fulford) telling WA the State's case against her is weak.

Most of us in WA's situation would bite the State's hand off if they offered us 20 years. She will foolishly reject it.

It would be financially advantageous to any lawyer to try her case rather than tell her to take a plea (if it’s offered) right?

 

[Luna20]

Alan Jackson’s name is floating around for who WA should retain. I hope not because he is a genius in the courtroom.

 

[Knitpicker]

Inmate Population Information Detail

Search interface for Florida Department of Corrections inmate and supervised offender records.

pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com

According to FDOC as she is at Lowell Annex- last updated yesterday.

Apparently she was moved to Leon County yesterday.

 

[PoisonPill]

It would be financially advantageous to any lawyer to try her case rather than tell her to take a plea (if it’s offered) right?

Correct. Lawyers are solving for their own fees first and foremost.

 

[Zedzded]

It would be financially advantageous to any lawyer to try her case rather than tell her to take a plea (if it’s offered) right?

Yes, but then surely there's some provision in US law that deals with this otherwise every defence attorney in the land would be persuading their clients to go to trial as opposed to taking a plea deal.

CA paid $1.5 million to DR and $1 million for the jury specialist. A plea deal means those two would get diddly squat, so they tell their client he will absolutely win at trial.... same with DA, KM, WA etc I wonder if Kawass leaned on KM to not take the immunity deal so she could get more $$?

 

[Knitpicker]

Yes, but then surely there's some provision in US law that deals with this otherwise every defence attorney in the land would be persuading their clients to go to trial as opposed to taking a plea deal.

CA paid $1.5 million to DR and $1 million for the jury specialist. A plea deal means those two would get diddly squat, so they tell their client he will absolutely win at trial.... same with DA, KM, WA etc I wonder if Kawass leaned on KM to not take the immunity deal so she could get more $$?

Right thats what I’m saying. Yeah prob the same with Kawass. I was looking forward to her on the stand for the state but other than how she was paid, I didn’t see how she would help in Donnas prosecution.

 

[clearskies1]

I think most lawyers comply with their ethical obligations and don't lie about their true assessment of the chances of winning.

 

[Knitpicker]

I think most lawyers comply with their ethical obligations and don't lie about their true assessment of the chances of winning.

You mean if they really think the person is innocent right?
What did you think about Mark Geragos and Scott Peterson ?(I f you followed)

 

[clearskies1]

You mean if they really think the person is guilty right?
What did you think about Mark Geragos and Scott Peterson ?(I f you followed)

I'm not sure I understand. They need to be truthful to the client about their view of the chance of success at trial regardless of their personal view about guilt or innocence.

 

[alexwood]

I wish we could have seen her hands displaying her anger. She may have pointed to the judge and Georgia. She may have used a sweeping hand gesture to the jury claiming ‘I am innocent’ (like J. Smolette). I can even see her telling the Markels that she did not murder their son. None of which would happen in Judge E court with Donna anyway.

When she is throwing her first tantrum you can see how she is trying to use her hands, she clenches them.

She may have even given the one-finger salute!

 

[ch_13]

Yes, but then surely there's some provision in US law that deals with this otherwise every defence attorney in the land would be persuading their clients to go to trial as opposed to taking a plea deal.

CA paid $1.5 million to DR and $1 million for the jury specialist. A plea deal means those two would get diddly squat, so they tell their client he will absolutely win at trial.... same with DA, KM, WA etc I wonder if Kawass leaned on KM to not take the immunity deal so she could get more $$?

I suspect with the Adelson's at least, the lawyers are simply telling them what they want to hear.

When they were interviewing replacements for Rashbaum, I would bet Donna eliminated out of hand any attorney that said her defense was weak, she should take a plea deal, etc. Whether through dishonesty or just misplaced confidence, I think that Jackie Fulford told her she had an eminently winnable case, and the prosecution had no real evidence against her (as she claimed in closing arguments).

 

[clearskies1]

I suspect with the Adelson's at least, the lawyers are simply telling them what they want to hear.

When they were interviewing replacements for Rashbaum, I would bet Donna eliminated out of hand any attorney that said her defense was weak, she should take a plea deal, etc. Whether through dishonesty or just misplaced confidence, I think that Jackie Fulford told her she had an eminently winnable case, and the prosecution had no real evidence against her (as she claimed in closing arguments).

Was a plea deal possible for Donna? Any deal the state might have made would have probably wound up with Donna dying in prison anyway. JMO.

 

[turaj]

Alan Jackson’s name is floating around for who WA should retain. I hope not because he is a genius in the courtroom.

she may be shopping around right now for this kind of high profile attorney..now as to whether AJ would take this one...not sure.

 

[Ferpo]

Alan Jackson’s name is floating around for who WA should retain. I hope not because he is a genius in the courtroom.

He's not a member of the Florida Bar.

Alan Jackson | Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP

Alan Jackson is a partner at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP and a legal analyst. Call Mr. Jackson at (213) 688-0460 to discuss your criminal matter.

werksmanjackson.com

 

[whitelilac]

she may be shopping around right now for this kind of high profile attorney..now as to whether AJ would take this one...not sure.

Let's hope that AJ is very very busy and booked up. Besides, I think (hope) he only takes cases he believes in...like Karen Read's case.

 

[alexwood]

Correct. Lawyers are solving for their own fees first and foremost.

Did you really mean to say: "Lawyers are solving for their own fees first and foremost"? If so, please explain what you mean by that.

 

[Zedzded]

Was a plea deal possible for Donna? Any deal the state might have made would have probably wound up with Donna dying in prison anyway. JMO.

There's always a huge risk of a hung jury, so I'm guessing the State would have preferred to make a deal (e.g 10 years) that would still see DA die in prison.

I think putting aside WA's narcissism and delusion, most people in her position would be cognisant of how strong the case was against them and try and make a deal. CA actually stated that he was happy and positive at the start of his trial as he knew he would be finally going home. That was the level of his delusion..