Wed. 5/18 - Day 1 - Opening statements
Karl Etters
@KarlEtters
·
4h
@JeffBurlew
has been covering jury selection for the last two days. A 14-member panel was seated yesterday
I'll be covering the start of this trial from quarantine at home. Just a reminder folks, COVID is still out there.
Here we go. Jury is in the courtroom and being sworn in
ASA Sarah Dugan: "The defendant was the link or the middle man between the people who wanted this murder done and the man who pulled the trigger...
..."They had a big problem and that problem was Dan Markel and the solution to that problem was this defendant. She was the solution because she had connections to people willing to point a gun at a stranger and puling the trigger."
Dugan lays out the theory of motive: The desire of Markel's former in-laws to move his two kids to South Florida
Dugan: "The defendant's boyfriend was looking to hire a hitman and the father of the defendant’s children was the hitman that killed Dan Markel. Both of these paths ended with his defendant. Two investigations one conclusion."
State has wrapped its opening statement. Tara Kawass will be up for the defense
Kawass starts by saying she and the state agree that Charlie Adelson had Luis Rivera and Sigfredo Garcia kill Dan Markel.
"What we do not agree on is whether or not Katherine Magbanua knew about plan to have Dan Markel killed. That's the only thing we don’t agree on..."
..."Did Katherine know? It's that simple."
"The only people who involved Katherine Magbanua into this conspiracy was the FBI and the police. The moment they said her name, they planted her in the middle of this investigation."
That's a wrap for opening statements. Short break then we'll get into witnesses
link:
https://twitter.com/KarlEtters
Jada E. Williams
@JadaEWilliams
·
3h
OPENINGS: Attorneys will read opening statements this morning in the Katherine Magbanua retrial. Here’s a glimpse into the courtroom right now. Live stream will start up soon
Right now, Judge Wheeler is addressing the jury. Letting them know their role in this case and how it will go the next two weeks.
Assistant State Attorney Sarah Duggan will do opening statements. "The reason we're here this morning is because the defendant in this case, Katherine Magabnua, set up the murder of Dan Markel. She was the link between the people who wanted this done and the hitmen."
Duggan says Magbanua was dating a rich man who wanted Markel dead at the time. The state's theory is Dan Markel's ex-wife's family is responsible for the murder. Her brother, Charlie Adelson is the "rich man". He was arrested last month.
She describes Markel being stalked, shot in his driveway, as well as his neighbor's discovery of Markel in the car in his driveway. This day will be put under a microscope as early as this afternoon.
The state says Markel's divorce from Wendi Adelson was a catalyst in his murder. Wendi's desire to move to South Florida with her family led to the murder plot.
The jurors are all very engaged in this opening. They're listening intently and taking notes. The state's opening is laying out their case, focusing on the horror of Dan Markel's death. The state repeats that he was stalked and murdered by hitmen.
"Her boyfriend was looking to hire a hitmen and her children's father was the hitman. Both [investigation] paths ended with the defendant. Two investigations and one conclusion."
As the state goes through their theory in opening, Magbanua takes notes. She's also discussing bits and pieces with her attorney. A couple of objections from her side but all overruled.
Kawass starts off by saying defense and state agrees that Charlie Adelson, Sigfredo Garcia, and Luis Rivera killed Markel. She says her client is innocent and was only thrust into the case because the state put her into the equation.
Kawass is going through Wendi and Dan's marriage, divorce, and custody battle. Says Wendi Adelson is the person who tipped the police that her brother may be involved. (She tells police her brother made a joke about buying a tv to celebrate divorce but its cheaper than a hitman)
The state says Magbanua is the link. The defense says Sigfredo Garcia confronted Magabnua's new boyfriend- Charlie Adelson- where Adelson said he'll stop seeing her if Garcia kills Markel.
We're in a recess for roughly 10 more minutes. When we return: first testimony.
link:
https://twitter.com/JadaEWilliams
I believe I'm going to follow Jada - she seems to be more "descriptive" of what is going on in court.
More coming up....