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

[BobbyLee]

Sorry if this has been brought up before. I understand Dan Rashbaum had to provide Donna's 2014 calendar to the prosecution as part of discovery.

But why did Donna keep it all those years particularly the page with the DMs' license tag? Was she keeping it somehow as a "trophy" of the murder? It shows how stupid that she didn't dispose of it during all those free years she had.

 

[ch_13]

I've been pondering why Wendi looked so unkempt on the day that Dan was murdered. She told Isom that she didn't shower that morning. Everything I know about her suggests that she is not the sort of person who would normally leave the house looking like she did that day.



I do have a theory. Previously, the prosecution showed a bit of her phone log from that morning/afternoon. I was struck by how she was on her phone non-stop, even while driving to the lunch. When she hung up with one person, she would call someone else. And if they didn't pick up, she would call yet another person. It was like she didn't want to leave any gaps.

My theory is that she was relying on these phone calls as her alibi. She was worried that someone might think she personally shot Dan. But as long as she could show she was on the phone, the murder couldn't be pinned on her. That would explain why she didn't shower. Because that would leave a 15 or 20 minute gap in her phone log.

I wonder if this also partly explain the drive down Trescott. Just like Wendi named her brother as a potential suspect, but intended it to be misdirection. ("He couldn't have done it. He was in Miami!") If the police discovered she was driving down Trescott, she could always say, "I was on the phone with my friend the whole time. It's just a crazy coincidence that I drove by."

 

[turaj]

Clearly Donna was the mastermind of this murder but I want to see Wendi arrested for her part which may be more conspiracy. It is okay with me if not charged with M1 although I THINK she could be.

 

[Knitpicker]

Sorry if this has been brought up before. I understand Dan Rashbaum had to provide Donna's 2014 calendar to the prosecution as part of discovery.

But why did Donna keep it all those years particularly the page with the DMs' license tag? Was she keeping it somehow as a "trophy" of the murder? It shows how stupid that she didn't dispose of it during all those free years she had.

He didn’t have to hand it over. He did that on his own. Which is interesting. He either knew there was nothing incriminating or he knew there was something of value but no one knew he had it

 

[Weki]

Sorry if this has been brought up before. I understand Dan Rashbaum had to provide Donna's 2014 calendar to the prosecution as part of discovery.

But why did Donna keep it all those years particularly the page with the DMs' license tag? Was she keeping it somehow as a "trophy" of the murder? It shows how stupid that she didn't dispose of it during all those free years she had.

It looks like it wasn’t just used as a calendar of daily events. It had a lot of information so it makes sense that she didn’t throw it out.

I also suspect that neither Rashbaum nor Donna felt there was anything incriminating in it. I think it could be argued either way about Danny’s tag number being there (I’m open to it being incriminating or nothing). I think with all the other evidence of guilt against Donna it’s just one more suspicious thing.

JMO

 

[Zedzded]

My theory is that she was relying on these phone calls as her alibi.

More or less.

SHe "panic called" (IMO). She made 3 calls in succession and was on the phone from 12.27pm - 12.46pm. At 12.49pm she bought the Bulleit bourbon (CC receipt).

So i think she was at home, freaking out, completely adrenalised not knowing what had happened and jumped in her car to drive to the crime scene to see what had happened. She did not expect the police to be there.

At 12.30pm KM and SG spoke on the phone, with SG telling KM it was done and KM replying "I know." So someone told KM Dan had been shot before 12.30pm.

Note Rashbaum very aggressively pushed Office Brannon (who was at the crime scene) to give an approximate time when he saw WA's car. Not of any relevance unless you factor in KM's comment at 12.30pm "I know." Brannon said he could not really remember, after being harangued by Rashbaum he reluctantly agreed it was close to 1pm.

This was impossible. At 12.47pm WA was at ABC, then went to get petrol, then lunch. Rashbaum then got Brannon to admit it was after 12.30pm. Brannon had already stated multiple times he did not know what time he saw WA, but again acquiesced under pressure and admitted it was after 12.30pm. As I said when WA went to the crime scene is completely irrelevant until you consider KM's comment. The inference being, WA texted CA, he texted KM. Rashbaum was aware of this. Getting Brannon to confirm WA was not there until after 12.30pm gives CA (and WA) an out. Except she probably was there before 12.30pm.

She called Joe Davis at 12.27pm. So I think she got there before that call, saw the police and freaked out, calling Joe, then Laura, then Jeff. Also at some point texted CA to said Dan had been shot. Now she didn't get to ABC until 12.46pm and it's only a 3 minute drive from Trescott, so I think she went home, got the party invite and raced to ABC liquor store that was out of her way. But she could say that was why she was seen on Trescott,she was on her way to this particular store. I don't think she had any intention of going to ABC that morning or that store.

She made a big deal of engaging with the employee at ABC, discussing her fake blue eyes and showing him the party invite, establishing an alibi like something from a B grade murder mystery movie.

I think her intention was to go to Dan's house, confirm he was shot, go home, change for lunch and go to Mozaik. She did not intend to get bourbon or petrol. She did that as police saw her car and in a panic she was racing around alibing herself. She intended to argue she never left the house, until she went to drive directly to Mozaik.

She got to lunch late. If she was running late she could have skipped getting bourbon or got it at a closer store or bought it after lunch. She had enough petrol to get to Moziaic if she gone the direct route, again she could have done this after lunch.

This is behaviour that can easily dismissed as a person doing odd things. As someone pointed out their Mil randomly keeps family members license plates and as I pointed out odd behaviour is not necessarily an issue, until you become a suspect in a murder. Then you need reasonable, rational and plausible explanations for your behaviour and actions.

Why did WA not go directly to lunch?
Why did WA not buy bourbon after lunch?
Why did WA not go to a closer ABC store?
Why did WA not buy petrol after lunch?
Why did WA not shower and change for lunch?
Why did WA lie 5 times in trials and interviews about her trip?

She will have responses to all of those, but they will be ludicrous. She will have to try and explain her bizarre circuitous route to lunch and the jury will (like us) see straight through it. A court bases its judgements on the behaviour of what a reasonable and rational person. This crazy trip she did does not align with what a reasonable and rational person would do. End of. If you are late you do not do unnecessary things that will make you even later.

I also think if the State can get a fix on WA's timeline around Trescott that will help i.e what time did she turn on to Trescott? If it's after 12.30pm (which I doubt) that helps the defence, if it's before 12.27pm then she has a problem.

 

[Zedzded]

This is where WA will have a problem. All this "irrelevant" and "inconsequential" circumstantial evidence is quite incriminating when bundled together. The morning of the murder, for WA, was crazy. So much whacky unexplainable stuff going on. How is she going to explain it all away and still sound credible?

 

[BearWatcher]

More or less.

SHe "panic called" (IMO). She made 3 calls in succession and was on the phone from 12.27pm - 12.46pm. At 12.49pm she bought the Bulleit bourbon (CC receipt).

So i think she was at home, freaking out, completely adrenalised not knowing what had happened and jumped in her car to drive to the crime scene to see what had happened. She did not expect the police to be there.

At 12.30pm KM and SG spoke on the phone, with SG telling KM it was done and KM replying "I know." So someone told KM Dan had been shot before 12.30pm.

Note Rashbaum very aggressively pushed Office Brannon (who was at the crime scene) to give an approximate time when he saw WA's car. Not of any relevance unless you factor in KM's comment at 12.30pm "I know." Brannon said he could not really remember, after being harangued by Rashbaum he reluctantly agreed it was close to 1pm.

This was impossible. At 12.47pm WA was at ABC, then went to get petrol, then lunch. Rashbaum then got Brannon to admit it was after 12.30pm. Brannon had already stated multiple times he did not know what time he saw WA, but again acquiesced under pressure and admitted it was after 12.30pm. As I said when WA went to the crime scene is completely irrelevant until you consider KM's comment. The inference being, WA texted CA, he texted KM. Rashbaum was aware of this. Getting Brannon to confirm WA was not there until after 12.30pm gives CA (and WA) an out. Except she probably was there before 12.30pm.

She called Joe Davis at 12.27pm. So I think she got there before that call, saw the police and freaked out, calling Joe, then Laura, then Jeff. Also at some point texted CA to said Dan had been shot. Now she didn't get to ABC until 12.46pm and it's only a 3 minute drive from Trescott, so I think she went home, got the party invite and raced to ABC liquor store that was out of her way. But she could say that was why she was seen on Trescott,she was on her way to this particular store. I don't think she had any intention of going to ABC that morning or that store.

She made a big deal of engaging with the employee at ABC, discussing her fake blue eyes and showing him the party invite, establishing an alibi like something from a B grade murder mystery movie.

I think her intention was to go to Dan's house, confirm he was shot, go home, change for lunch and go to Mozaik. She did not intend to get bourbon or petrol. She did that as police saw her car and in a panic she was racing around alibing herself. She intended to argue she never left the house, until she went to drive directly to Mozaik.

She got to lunch late. If she was running late she could have skipped getting bourbon or got it at a closer store or bought it after lunch. She had enough petrol to get to Moziaic if she gone the direct route, again she could have done this after lunch.

This is behaviour that can easily dismissed as a person doing odd things. As someone pointed out their Mil randomly keeps family members license plates and as I pointed out odd behaviour is not necessarily an issue, until you become a suspect in a murder. Then you need reasonable, rational and plausible explanations for your behaviour and actions.

Why did WA not go directly to lunch?
Why did WA not buy bourbon after lunch?
Why did WA not go to a closer ABC store?
Why did WA not buy petrol after lunch?
Why did WA not shower and change for lunch?
Why did WA lie 5 times in trials and interviews about her trip?

She will have responses to all of those, but they will be ludicrous. She will have to try and explain her bizarre circuitous route to lunch and the jury will (like us) see straight through it. A court bases its judgements on the behaviour of what a reasonable and rational person. This crazy trip she did does not align with what a reasonable and rational person would do. End of. If you are late you do not do unnecessary things that will make you even later.

I also think if the State can get a fix on WA's timeline around Trescott that will help i.e what time did she turn on to Trescott? If it's after 12.30pm (which I doubt) that helps the defence, if it's before 12.27pm then she has a problem.

This is a fascinating summary and what I think are suppositions based on looking at timing of what has been publicly shared. Have we seen any maps of where Wendi was by geolocation while she was driving around and on these calls? It seems likely the Tallahassee police would have that information, right?

 

[Zedzded]

I forgot to add SG had two missed calls at 12.18pm. I don't know who called him, perhaps KM. This ties in with when I think WA drove to the crime scene. She texted Jeanine Siberman (lunch date) at 11.45am. Gets in her car and drives to crime scene (13mins). Gets there around 12-12.10pm, sees police and calls CA, who calls KM. She then tries calling SG at 12.18pm, but his phone was off, she calls again at 12.30pm and gets through to him.

 

[Zedzded]

This is a fascinating summary and what I think are suppositions based on looking at timing of what has been publicly shared. Have we seen any maps of where Wendi was by geolocation while she was driving around and on these calls? It seems likely the Tallahassee police would have that information, right?

As far as I know the police haven't released any information about the timings of her journey. All I know is of the 12.49pm receipt from ABC liquor then subsequent petrol purchase. I very much doubt she went straight from the crime scene to ABC liquor and if the police can prove she didn't and was there before 12.30pm I think that will be damning.

If she was there 12.15pmish (which is what I think) what did she did for those 30+minutes before she went to ABC? I think she panicked, went home, 13 mins which makes it 12.28pm. Gets the party invite and drives straight to ABC liquor which means she gets there 12.44ish, Note there is a 2 minute pause in her phone calls 12.29 and 12.31 which could tie in with her going home and getting the invite. She made a big deal about the invite in the ABC store.

Re tracking her movements, cell tower triangulation was pretty rudimentary back there and I think could only get a fix for a 5km radius, so may not be usuable. It should still show that she had left her house around 12pm and was on the road. If we go by WA's suggested timeline she left home at 12.30pm.

But I would think there would be a plethora of CCTV from houses, shops etc that would show her movements.

 

[rescuemom]

She should be arrested for no other reason than that she knew and could have stopped it. Same with Harvey.

 

[SubtlePseudonym]

Strategy wise, wonder if GC may put some pressure on Harvey first to tickle the Wendi evidence wire before taking her on. Don’t know what that would look like though. I am sure the variance trial to trial in testimony from JL, KM and LR is starting to get concerning, so it’s not like she has all the time in the world to use witnesses evidence against Wendi. I just think Harvey does not necessarily have the sociopathic gene and may crack or make a deal, I got this from hearing witnesses say he basically gave away the entire gig by his behavior at Dans memorial.

 

[Zedzded]

Strategy wise, wonder if GC may put some pressure on Harvey first to tickle the Wendi evidence wire before taking her on. Don’t know what that would look like though. I am sure the variance trial to trial in testimony from JL, KM and LR is starting to get concerning, so it’s not like she has all the time in the world to use witnesses evidence against Wendi. I just think Harvey does not necessarily have the sociopathic gene and may crack or make a deal, I got this from hearing witnesses say he basically gave away the entire gig by his behavior at Dans memorial.

He didn't really give away the entire gig. He just didn't look someone in the eye. That could be anything. He won't make any deals. Neither will WA.

Re sociopathic gene, I did think that HA was the more stable and less mal-adjusted of the 4 Adelsons implicated. As time has gone on, I'm more inclined to think he's cut from the same cloth, he just didn't want to get caught. He probably saw the holes in the plot and was cognisant of the fact his son was most definitely more moron and less maestro, so was probably crapping himself. Just look at his poor attitude at the start of DA's trial. She's fighting for her life and he's waving to the cameras....

 

[Knitpicker]

Garcia got life plus 30, he was found NG on solicitation but point taken.

I noticed that too. I don’t think Ruth and family have pressured the state into arresting Wendi. At least that was my conclusions based on her comment. I was surprised but not surprised bc she seemed to believe that without Donnas influence the murder would not have happened. Could it be she is just protecting herself so she can still see the boys? Probably none of my or anyone else’s business.

 

[Knitpicker]

I forgot to add SG had two missed calls at 12.18pm. I don't know who called him, perhaps KM. This ties in with when I think WA drove to the crime scene. She texted Jeanine Siberman (lunch date) at 11.45am. Gets in her car and drives to crime scene (13mins). Gets there around 12-12.10pm, sees police and calls CA, who calls KM. She then tries calling SG at 12.18pm, but his phone was off, she calls again at 12.30pm and gets through to him.

I do believe she drove to the crime scene around 12 PM. Do you remember Georgia at KMs first trial asking her if she left the house around 12, or she said she left around n 12? It could be that after her 11:45 call to DM, she got in her car and drove to the crime scene. Saw all the cars there , then headed back home, and then contacted whoever, then drove her car to ABC, wanting it to appear as though it was one trip.
From 11:45-12:27 there are no calls from her cell phone. That could have been the time she headed to trescott and then went home.
I remember Brannon thinking she was there around “Noon”.
and wondered why he could have been 30 minutes off.
Surely they have the answer to this and they will really nail her on this if it is true she made 2 trips.

We need to know her cell phone location at that time (or she could have just left her phone at home.).

It always bothered me that the time she left her house was pretty much accepted to be around 12 PM early in the trials.
Then all of a sudden it became 12:30.

So I far, I am the only one I thought came up with this 2 trip thing.
You are thinking it’s one trip but I think it’s 2.

 

[Going Rogue]

I do believe she drove to the crime scene around 12 PM. Do you remember Georgia at KMs first trial asking her if she left the house around 12, or she said she left around n 12? It could be that after her 11:45 call to DM, she got in her car and drove to the crime scene. Saw all the cars there , then headed back home, and then contacted whoever, then drove her car to ABC, wanting it to appear as though it was one trip.
From 11:45-12:27 there are no calls from her cell phone. That could have been the time she headed to trescott and then went home.
I remember Brannon thinking she was there around “Noon”.
and wondered why he could have been 30 minutes off.
Surely they have the answer to this and they will really nail her on this if it is true she made 2 trips.

We need to know her cell phone location at that time (or she could have just left her phone at home.).

It always bothered me that the time she left her house was pretty much accepted to be around 12 PM early in the trials.
Then all of a sudden it became 12:30.

So I far, I am the only one I thought came up with this 2 trip thing.
You are thinking it’s one trip but I think it’s 2.

The time she left her home didn’t “all of sudden” become 12:30pm. When Wendi initially testified, she said she left her home ‘around’ noon, and Brennan did say he saw her 'around' noon—in both cases they were testifying to general timeframes not exact times. Its common to refer to a time within 45-minutes of either side of noon as 'around' noon. Corbitt, who deals in more ‘exact’ timelines, has always testified, based on his data, that her departure time was 12:30pm. What are you basing your two trip theory on, that Brennan said he saw her around noon? Run that theory by Carl Steinbeck – because according to Carl, the trip to ABC is 40 minutes so it would have been impossible to pull that off

 

[Knitpicker]

The time she left her home didn’t “all of sudden” become 12:30pm. When Wendi initially testified, she said she left her home ‘around’ noon, and Brennan did say he saw her 'around' noon—in both cases they were testifying to general timeframes not exact times. Its common to refer to a time within 45-minutes of either side of noon as 'around' noon. Corbitt, who deals in more ‘exact’ timelines, has always testified, based on his data, that her departure time was 12:30pm. What are you basing your two trip theory on, that Brennan said he saw her around noon? Run that theory by Carl Steinbeck – because according to Carl, the trip to ABC is 40 minutes so it would have been impossible to pull that off

You are missing the point
Carl is not my answer to everything pertaining to life and death.
I know he is still claiming it’s 40 minutes.

 

[Going Rogue]

You are missing the point
Carl is not my answer to everything pertaining to life and death.
I know he is still claiming it’s 40 minutes.

What fun would it be of you and I didn’t disagree Personally, I think its improbable she took two trips. There is no data to support she took two trips which is why I was asking what you were basing that theory on – maybe I’m missing something?

When Carl issues his new 199 plus indicators of guilt video, maybe he’ll work the two trip theory into his new presentation – maybe he’s reading this for idea’s.... he needs some fresh content

 

[Zedzded]

The time she left her home didn’t “all of sudden” become 12:30pm. When Wendi initially testified, she said she left her home ‘around’ noon, and Brennan did say he saw her 'around' noon—in both cases they were testifying to general timeframes not exact times. Its common to refer to a time within 45-minutes of either side of noon as 'around' noon. Corbitt, who deals in more ‘exact’ timelines, has always testified, based on his data, that her departure time was 12:30pm. What are you basing your two trip theory on, that Brennan said he saw her around noon? Run that theory by Carl Steinbeck – because according to Carl, the trip to ABC is 40 minutes so it would have been impossible to pull that off

Ultimately Brennan was not sure and neither was WA. 12pm leaving her house fits perfectly with my theory. But we don't know when she left. As far as I know the only timing we have is 12.49pm at ABC liquor. If she left home, went to Trescott, did a U turn and then went straight to ABC that would mean she would have left the house around 12.30pm.

That would put her in the clear re the theory that she drove to the crime scene (before 12.30) saw the police, texted CA to let him know, he texted Km and she called SG and stated "I know" in response to "he's dead."

But if she left home closer to 12pm (which is what I think) then that supports the two trip theory. She drove to the crime scene 12.-12.15pm, freaked out, went home, got the invite, drove to ABC liquor to create her alibi and reason for being seen by police on Trescott. If she didn't do that she would have been screwed as she had no reason to be there.

Driving to ABC then meant she was late for lunch and had no time to shower etc So if someone/LE can produce something that shows what time she left home and it was close to 12, she's goneski.

 

[Zedzded]

What fun would it be of you and I didn’t disagree Personally, I think its improbable she took two trips. There is no data to support she took two trips which is why I was asking what you were basing that theory on – maybe I’m missing something?

Logic! We don't have any available data to support 2 trips only logic. We know she was late for lunch, we know she drove past 3 liquor stores that were closer. The Trescott trip to ABC never made sense. But as I've said she never meant to get liquor at that time. This was a hastily put together plan B.

She was not expecting to see police and I also don't think, as some have said, that she planned to find Dan's body. She was freaking out and wanted to know what happened.

Her phone calls suggest she was at the crime scene before 12.30. Three phone calls in quick succession from 12.27pm - 12.47pm. Where was she during those 20minutes? It takes 3 minutes to get from Trescott to ABC.