True Crime Today | A True Crime Podcast
Adelson Matriarch Murder Trial — FL v. Donna Adelson — JURY SELECTION | DAY 1 TRIAL DELAYED
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Episode notes
Donna Adelson, who is facing charges in a murder-for-hire plot that led to the death of her former son-in-law, Dan Markel, is making key legal moves just weeks before her trial is set to begin. Adelson, 74, appeared in court as her defense team presented several motions designed to ensure a fair trial, which WAS scheduled to start on September 17.
Markel, a Florida State University law professor, was fatally shot in his driveway in 2014. Prosecutors allege that Donna Adelson orchestrated the murder to facilitate the relocation of her daughter, Wendi Adelson, and her two young grandsons from Tallahassee to Miami amid a contentious custody battle following Wendi’s divorce from Markel. Donna is the fourth individual to face trial in connection with Markel's murder, following the convictions of her son, Charlie Adelson, Charlie's ex-girlfriend Katherine Magbanua, and hitmen Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera.
Recent court filings reveal that Adelson’s defense team has submitted a motion in limine to exclude specific evidence and arguments from her trial. One key request is to prevent testimony from Tallahassee Police Investigator Craig Isom, who previously testified that he asked Donna and her husband, Harvey, to submit to a police interview at Markel’s memorial service—a request they declined. The defense argues that presenting this testimony in Donna’s trial would unfairly use her pre-arrest silence against her, potentially prejudicing the jury if she decides to testify.
Another significant motion seeks to exclude details about the Adelson family’s finances. Donna’s attorneys argue that evidence concerning the family's wealth, including assets from their now-closed dental practice, the Adelson Institute, and Charlie’s financial dealings, is irrelevant to the charges against Donna and could bias the jury. They claim that any funds paid to Magbanua following Markel’s murder came from Charlie’s money and that financial information about the Adelson Institute would not impact Donna’s culpability.
As the trial date approaches, all eyes are on the court’s decisions regarding these motions, which could significantly impact the trial’s proceedings and outcome.
#DonnaAdelson #DanMarkel #MurderForHire #LegalDefense #CourtroomStrategy #JurySelection #CriminalTrial
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Markel, a Florida State University law professor, was fatally shot in his driveway in 2014. Prosecutors allege that Donna Adelson orchestrated the murder to facilitate the relocation of her daughter, Wendi Adelson, and her two young grandsons from Tallahassee to Miami amid a contentious custody battle following Wendi’s divorce from Markel. Donna is the fourth individual to face trial in connection with Markel's murder, following the convictions of her son, Charlie Adelson, Charlie's ex-girlfriend Katherine Magbanua, and hitmen Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera.
Recent court filings reveal that Adelson’s defense team has submitted a motion in limine to exclude specific evidence and arguments from her trial. One key request is to prevent testimony from Tallahassee Police Investigator Craig Isom, who previously testified that he asked Donna and her husband, Harvey, to submit to a police interview at Markel’s memorial service—a request they declined. The defense argues that presenting this testimony in Donna’s trial would unfairly use her pre-arrest silence against her, potentially prejudicing the jury if she decides to testify.
Another significant motion seeks to exclude details about the Adelson family’s finances. Donna’s attorneys argue that evidence concerning the family's wealth, including assets from their now-closed dental practice, the Adelson Institute, and Charlie’s financial dealings, is irrelevant to the charges against Donna and could bias the jury. They claim that any funds paid to Magbanua following Markel’s murder came from Charlie’s money and that financial information about the Adelson Institute would not impact Donna’s culpability.
As the trial date approaches, all eyes are on the court’s decisions regarding these motions, which could significantly impact the trial’s proceedings and outcome.
#DonnaAdelson #DanMarkel #MurderForHire #LegalDefense #CourtroomStrategy #JurySelection #CriminalTrial
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com