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

[Ferpo]

She's probably such a PITA they want her gone!!!!

Perhaps it's just DA and team realizing that the sooner the sentencing, the sooner the Appeals process can start.

 

[LetsSolvIt]

i thought courts were closed on Monday due to holiday. How is Donna's still going on? I def. don't want to miss it.

Also, has anyone else seen the video of her in the wheelchair after the verdict... She sure was playing up how unfair the world is for her

The wheelchair is a total joke. I keep remembering her instructions to WA — something to the effect of, “you can be such a good actress when you need to be.”

 

[Going Rogue]

I just watched yesterday's STS video honoring Dan Markel on what would have been his 53rd birthday. One of Dan’s close friends, Josh Berman, was a guest and was asked whether he thought Wendi was involved in Dan’s murder. Josh gave one of the most thoughtful and responsible answers I’ve heard to that question. If you missed the episode, it’s worth tuning in to hear his response (at about the 44-minute mark). As a close friend of Dan who also knew Wendi, Josh’s perspective is significant to me. I’m sure many will interpret his response differently than I did, or perhaps what he said, or didn’t say, didn’t register with most. Regardless, I commend him for responding so responsibly - he is a class act.

 

[BUF]

Looks like a grand jury is convening during the week of Oct. 13 relating to the Hope Florida Foundation. Nothing I can find Adelson related. Darn.


https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article312367971.html

Thank you for posting this….another interesting case.

There may be more than one panel of grand jurors at a time.

 

[Luna20]

The wheelchair is a total joke. I keep remembering her instructions to WA — something to the effect of, “you can be such a good actress when you need to be.”

Like mother like daughter. She did say that to Wendi and it sounded like she was speaking from firsthand experience. It’s not working for her now. I also wonder if she is doing this to appeal for Wendi’s sympathy. I believe that she thinks that out of the three of them she should be the one who isn’t incarcerated. Unless Wendi does a complete recount by incriminating herself, Donna is there to stay.

The wheelchair scene was comical. The moaning, as if it was going to make a difference. The guards totally ignored her. She was trying to show that she isn’t able to hang on and that she needs in the very least a different type of imprisonment. She is so superior in her mind that she just can’t bear being treated like the rest of the inmates.

 

[LinasK]

Like mother like daughter. She did say that to Wendi and it sounded like she was speaking from firsthand experience. It’s not working for her now. I also wonder if she is doing this to appeal for Wendi’s sympathy. I believe that she thinks that out of the three of them she should be the one who isn’t incarcerated. Unless Wendi does a complete recount by incriminating herself, Donna is there to stay.

The wheelchair scene was comical. The moaning, as if it was going to make a difference. The guards totally ignored her. She was trying to show that she isn’t able to hang on and that she needs in the very least a different type of imprisonment. She is so superior in her mind that she just can’t bear being treated like the rest of the inmates.

I have a feeling that they make cells ADA compliant to fit wheelchairs. She wouldn't be the first prisoner to need one.

 

[Luna20]

I have a feeling that they make cells ADA compliant to fit wheelchairs. She wouldn't be the first prisoner to need one.

She won’t be moaning from the wheelchair once she starts working on her appeal. She will have plenty of energy to devote to her cause. This is brutal for the control freak that she is. Monday will be interesting.

 

[LinasK]

She won’t be moaning from the wheelchair once she starts working on her appeal. She will have plenty of energy to devote to her cause. This is brutal for the control freak that she is. Monday will be interesting.

I loved the expression on her face when the verdict was read! Priceless.

 

[Wishbone]

Thank you for posting this….another interesting case.

There may be more than one panel of grand jurors at a time.

Here's hoping they already have a sealed indictment.

 

[Zedzded]

I reckon this week could be WA's last week of freedom.

 

[Luna20]

I loved the expression on her face when the verdict was read! Priceless.

Me too, she was so angry. I think she rehearsed in her mind how she was going to react. She was intentionally dramatic.

 

[apeXperience]

What to expect at Donna Adelson’s sentencing on 10/13/25?

• Donna will deservedly get consecutive LWOP +30Y + 30Y
• The PSI of someone without prior criminal record takes few days to a week at most
• Donna’s PSI would have a minor effect on the sentencing given the evidenced premeditation and aggravating circumstance demonstrated by the hitmen’s multiple trips to attempt at Dan Markel’s life

Why did the Judge move the sentencing of Donna Adelson for tomorrow 10/13/2025?

• SAO, i.e. Campbell, Cappleman, and Dugan, are busy the following couple of days 10/14 and 10/15 in room 3G (see schedule attached)
• It is good to be thrilled about documented and verifiable “happening”: two day long meeting of the SAO at the court house sounds like secret grand jury proceedings
• It cannot be ignored that Thursday 10/16/25 is the Middle of the Month Thursday for October such that it is reasonable to hope that one or two indictments will come out by Thursday

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I just watched yesterday's STS video honoring Dan Markel on what would have been his 53rd birthday. One of Dan’s close friends, Josh Berman, was a guest and was asked whether he thought Wendi was involved in Dan’s murder. Josh gave one of the most thoughtful and responsible answers I’ve heard to that question. If you missed the episode, it’s worth tuning in to hear his response (at about the 44-minute mark). As a close friend of Dan who also knew Wendi, Josh’s perspective is significant to me. I’m sure many will interpret his response differently than I did, or perhaps what he said, or didn’t say, didn’t register with most. Regardless, I commend him for responding so responsibly - he is a class act.

thanks for noting the specific time mark in the podcast. It really WAS worth listening to Josh.

 

[Zedzded]

thanks for noting the specific time mark in the podcast. It really WAS worth listening to Josh.

I didn't think he offered much insight. He just said he didn't want to speculate on whether WA would be arrested and would leave that to GC...

 

[Niner]

Monday, October 13th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 3pm 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 on all counts.
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 1-8 (8/22-9/3/25) reference post #850 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/fl-f...son-upcoming-trial-4-guilty-27.751508/page-43
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 10/13/25.
9/5/25 Update: Sentencing hearing will be delayed if PSI is not ready then it will be a case management hearing on 10/14/25 @ 9am.
9/15/25 Docket update: Defendant's Motion for New Trial & for Leave to interview Jurors filed by Joshua Zelman. link: 09162025-MotionForNewTrial.pdf
9/26/25 Docket update: [481] Order Denying defendant's post-trial motions. 9/26/25 Docket update: [482] Letter/email per Judge/from defense as referenced in their motion for re-trial & motion for leave to interview jurors. Jumpdrive is located in Central filing felony box beginning with date 9/26/25.
10/9/25 Docket updates: [483] Instructions from Judge. I have copied the clerks for them to set this case for sentencing on Monday, 10/13/25 @ 3pm. Please make sure the defendant is on the transport list. Please remove this case from the docket on Tuesday, 10/14/25 @ 2:30pm. [484] Disposition date set final disposition set on 10/13/25 @ 3pm.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I didn't think he offered much insight. He just said he didn't want to speculate on whether WA would be arrested and would leave that to GC...

True on that. But I think I just get emotional when folks talk about the good man, Dan Markel.
With all the stuff we have had to follow... Dan just becomes the "Mark:
But he was a good man, a good father....

We just have to wait to see what happens to ol Wendi now.

 

[Weki]

I just watched yesterday's STS video honoring Dan Markel on what would have been his 53rd birthday. One of Dan’s close friends, Josh Berman, was a guest and was asked whether he thought Wendi was involved in Dan’s murder. Josh gave one of the most thoughtful and responsible answers I’ve heard to that question. If you missed the episode, it’s worth tuning in to hear his response (at about the 44-minute mark). As a close friend of Dan who also knew Wendi, Josh’s perspective is significant to me. I’m sure many will interpret his response differently than I did, or perhaps what he said, or didn’t say, didn’t register with most. Regardless, I commend him for responding so responsibly - he is a class act.

Right after Josh makes his responsible comment and leaves, Joel goes straight to Dave Aronberg (former state attorney in Florida) and he full-throated says Wendi will be arrested before Thanksgiving. That the state is just waiting until after sentencing to go to the grand jury. Dave knows what the people wanna hear! Class doesn’t get clicks.

JMO

 

[yazoost]

• SAO, i.e. Campbell, Cappleman, and Dugan, are busy the following couple of days 10/14 and 10/15 in room 3G (see schedule attached)
• It is good to be thrilled about documented and verifiable “happening”: two day long meeting of the SAO at the court house sounds like secret grand jury proceedings

This could be anything. Practice for another trial, orientation for this fall's interns, testing new chairs. There are at least two dozen lawyers in their office.

 

[Luna20]

Right after Josh makes his responsible comment and leaves, Joel goes straight to Dave Aronberg (former state attorney in Florida) and he full-throated says Wendi will be arrested before Thanksgiving. That the state is just waiting until after sentencing to go to the grand jury. Dave knows what the people wanna hear! Class doesn’t get clicks.

JMO

@Weki what article or video is this? I’ve missed it.

 

[nodamselindistress]

Here you go @Luna20, the much maligned STS is the source