The Trial Of Donna Adelson | The Murder Of Dan Markel

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Ret FBI Coffindaffer Why Donna Adelson is “Cooked” in the Dan Markel Murder Case-WEEK IN REVIEW Mar 08, 2025

Show notes

Ret FBI Coffindaffer Why Donna Adelson is “Cooked” in the Dan Markel Murder Case-WEEK IN REVIEW
Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.
This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fascinating journey through the world of true crime and current events.
Each episode navigates through multiple stories, illuminating their details with factual reporting, expert commentary, and engaging conversation. Tony and his guests discuss each case's nuances, complexities, and human elements, delivering a multi-dimensional understanding to their audience.
Whether you are a dedicated follower of true crime, or an everyday listener interested in the stories shaping our world, the "Week in Review" brings you the perfect balance of intrigue, information, and intelligent conversation. Expect thoughtful analysis, informed opinions, and thought-provoking discussions beyond the 24-hour news cycle.
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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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Could Donna Save Herself by Flipping on Wendy? Attorney Bob Motta Weighs In Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

Would Charlie Adelson really throw his own family under the bus to save himself? That’s the million-dollar question as the legal walls close in on the Adelson clan. With his appeals running thin, could turning state’s witness be his last, desperate play? And if so, would it be enough to take down Wendy Adelson, the sister who just happened to be "coincidentally" circling the crime scene at the perfect moment?
The prosecution is playing chess, not checkers, strategically picking off the family members one by one. But do they have enough to convict Wendy, or is this a highly circumstantial house of cards? Defense Attorney Bob Motta breaks it down, explaining why Wendy might walk—unless Charlie decides to roll over. And then there’s Donna Adelson, the matriarch who’s giving off major “entitled narcissist” energy. Will she take the stand in her own trial, or will her performance during bond hearings be enough to bury her?
With checks, cash piles, and some wildly suspicious financial moves, the prosecution is trying to connect the dots—while the defense scrambles for an explanation that doesn’t sound utterly ridiculous. Will the "extortion" excuse actually fly? Or is Donna destined to spend her golden years in a much less gilded cage?
#TrueCrime #CharlieAdelson #WendyAdelson #DonnaAdelson #DanMarkel #LegalStrategy #HiddenKillers
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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Ret FBI Coffindaffer : Why Donna Adelson is “Cooked” in the Dan Markel Murder Case Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

Ret FBI Coffindaffer : Why Donna Adelson is “Cooked” in the Dan Markel Murder Case
Did Donna Adelson really think she could talk her way out of jail? The 75-year-old matriarch of the Adelson family, now facing first-degree murder charges in the alleged murder-for-hire of Dan Markel, took the stand this week—and let’s just say, things did not go as planned. Painting herself as a frail, elderly victim of the system, she pled for release, only for prosecutors to drop a bombshell: recorded jailhouse calls where she and her son Charlie discuss escape plans and countries without extradition. Oops.
Tony Brueski and retired FBI Special Agent Jennifer Coffindaffer break down Donna’s disastrous courtroom performance, her apparent belief that she’s the smartest person in the universe, and whether she’ll take a plea or go down swinging. And then there’s the big question—could she flip on her daughter, Wendy? Or is this just the beginning of the Adelson saga?
#TrueCrime #DonnaAdelson #DanMarkel #HiddenKillers #MurderForHire #CourtroomDrama #Justice
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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Bob Motta Breaks Down Why Donna Adelson is Completely Screwed Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

Donna Adelson walked into court hoping to paint herself as the true victim—an elderly grandmother trapped in a world of hardened criminals, denied decent medical care, and, worst of all, struggling to get a good night’s sleep. But the prosecution had a slightly different perspective—one involving jailhouse calls, escape plans, and a nearly successful flight to Vietnam. Turns out, Donna’s own words weren’t just keeping her behind bars; they were now admissible at trial.
Defense Attorney Bob Motta joins Tony Brueski to break down Donna’s bizarre bond hearing, her claims of mistreatment (which pale in comparison to some actual horror stories from behind bars), and the real legal dangers she’s facing. Was she the financial mastermind behind a murder-for-hire plot, or is this just a case of unfortunate coincidences? And more importantly, why do so many people forget that jail isn’t supposed to be comfortable?
Is Donna’s fate already sealed, or could this take an unexpected turn?
#TrueCrime #DonnaAdelson #HiddenKillers #MurderForHire #DefenseDiaries #BobMotta #CrimeNews
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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Bob Motta Unpacks the Evidence That Could Destroy Donna Adelson Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

Did Donna Adelson really think she could charm her way out of this one? The 75-year-old grandmother took the stand, painting herself as a frail victim trapped in a jail full of violent criminals—completely ignoring the part where she allegedly plotted an escape to Vietnam, a country with no U.S. extradition. Oops. The prosecution, however, had a slightly different take, armed with jailhouse calls and enough red flags to decorate a parade.
So, what went so horribly wrong for Donna in court? Defense Attorney Bob Motta joins the discussion, breaking down her baffling decision to testify at her own bond hearing, the eye-rolling complaints about her jail conditions, and the ticking time bomb of her family's crumbling defense. And if Donna thought prison life was uncomfortable before, just wait until she realizes how solid the case against her is.
With no direct evidence linking her to the hit, is there still enough to lock her up for good? And more importantly—if Donna goes down, will Charlie finally crack?
#DonnaAdelson #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #DefenseDiaries #LegalDrama #MurderForHire #CrimeAnalysis
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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Donna Adelson’s Bond Hearing Disaster – What Went Wrong? Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

Donna Adelson’s Bond Hearing Disaster – What Went Wrong?
On February 26, 2025, inside a packed Tallahassee courtroom, Donna Adelson took the stand in a desperate bid for freedom—but the day did not go as she had hoped. The 75-year-old matriarch of the Adelson family, now charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation in the murder-for-hire of her former son-in-law Dan Markel, tried to convince the judge that she was a frail, elderly woman suffering behind bars, not a criminal mastermind. She spoke of assaults by fellow inmates, sleepless nights, and untreated medical issues, painting a picture of jailhouse misery in a last-ditch effort to be released on bond.
But prosecutors weren’t buying it. They fired back with hard evidence, reminding the court that Donna wasn’t just any defendant—she was arrested at Miami International Airport while attempting to flee the country on a one-way flight to Vietnam, a country with no U.S. extradition treaty. They played damning jailhouse recordings, where she openly discussed escape plans with her son, Charlie, and even acknowledged that authorities might catch her at the airport before she could get away. When the judge ruled to deny her bond and allow the recorded calls into evidence at trial, it was a devastating blow for the defense.
In this episode, we break down every explosive moment from Donna Adelson’s day in court—her testimony, her legal team’s strategy, the state’s response, and the judge’s final decision. What does this mean for her upcoming trial in June 2025? How will her legal team adjust now that she remains in jail and the jury will hear her incriminating phone calls? And most importantly, is this the beginning of the end for Donna Adelson? Stay tuned as we unravel one of the most pivotal hearings in this high-profile murder case.
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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

RAW COURT AUDIO: DONNA ADELSON HEARING PART 1 Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

RAW COURT AUDIO: DONNA ADELSON HEARING PART 1
Donna Adelson, the Florida woman accused of orchestrating the murder-for-hire plot against her former son-in-law, Dan Markel, claims she and her husband, Harvey Adelson, intended to travel to Vietnam to “catch their breath” before turning themselves in, not to escape justice.
Adelson, 75, made the stunning revelation during a court appearance in Leon County, where she sought her release from jail. Dressed in a purple jumpsuit and shackled, she testified that her husband suggested the trip to Vietnam—where they had previously vacationed—after their son, Dr. Charlie Adelson, was convicted for hiring hitmen to kill Markel in 2014.
“I wasn’t afraid of being arrested,” Adelson stated in court, according to CourtTV. “My husband and I—literally shocked and traumatized at what had happened to Charlie—he said, ‘We need to just get some peace, we need to catch our breath, we’re gonna go away somewhere.’”
In November 2023, authorities arrested the couple at Miami International Airport as they prepared to board a flight to Vietnam via Dubai. Both Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates lack extradition agreements with the United States. Law enforcement officials viewed the move as an attempt to flee prosecution.
Despite the circumstances, Adelson maintained they had every intention of returning to the U.S. voluntarily. “If we go to a non-extradition country, then if law enforcement decided that they wanted to arrest you or me, we won’t be sitting in a foreign prison waiting months to go back,” she recalled her husband saying.
She insisted they understood what their trip might look like to authorities but believed traveling to Vietnam would provide them with a chance to clear their heads before turning themselves in.
“I thought it was a good idea because I just couldn’t think straight,” Adelson told the court.
The case stems from the 2014 murder of Markel, a Florida State University law professor who was embroiled in a bitter custody dispute with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, Donna’s daughter. Wendi had wanted to move with their two children from Tallahassee to South Florida, a request Markel had fought in court.
Prosecutors allege that Donna and her son Charlie conspired to have Markel killed to resolve the family’s custody battle. The case remained unsolved for years until law enforcement arrested Charlie Adelson in April 2022.
In November 2023, a jury convicted him of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation. Prosecutors proved he had hired gang members Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera to carry out the hit. Garcia, the triggerman, is serving a life sentence, while Rivera, who cooperated with authorities, received a 19-year sentence.
Garcia’s ex-wife, Katherine Magbanua, who had been dating Charlie Adelson at the time, was also convicted and sentenced to life in prison for her role in arranging the murder.
Charlie Adelson’s conviction appeared to trigger his parents’ attempt to leave the country just two weeks later.
“I wanted to get away, he wanted to get away. That’s what we wanted to do,” Donna Adelson said of her husband.
She testified that she had consulted with her lawyers before the trip and was assured that there were no active warrants or charges against them. “I thought if you asked your attorneys and they tell you that, I’m going,” she said.
Despite allegedly being warned they could be stopped at the airport, the couple proceeded with their travel plans—only to be intercepted by authorities before boarding their flight.
With her son convicted and her own trial ahead, Adelson continues to fight the charges, maintaining that her travel plans were not an attempt to flee justice but rather a desperate attempt to process what had happened to her family.
#FloridaCrime #TrueCrime #DanMarkel #MurderForHire #DonnaAdelson #FSU #Justice
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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

RAW COURT AUDIO: DONNA ADELSON HEARING PART 2 Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

RAW COURT AUDIO: DONNA ADELSON HEARING PART 2
Donna Adelson, the Florida woman accused of orchestrating the murder-for-hire plot against her former son-in-law, Dan Markel, claims she and her husband, Harvey Adelson, intended to travel to Vietnam to “catch their breath” before turning themselves in, not to escape justice.
Adelson, 75, made the stunning revelation during a court appearance in Leon County, where she sought her release from jail. Dressed in a purple jumpsuit and shackled, she testified that her husband suggested the trip to Vietnam—where they had previously vacationed—after their son, Dr. Charlie Adelson, was convicted for hiring hitmen to kill Markel in 2014.
“I wasn’t afraid of being arrested,” Adelson stated in court, according to CourtTV. “My husband and I—literally shocked and traumatized at what had happened to Charlie—he said, ‘We need to just get some peace, we need to catch our breath, we’re gonna go away somewhere.’”
In November 2023, authorities arrested the couple at Miami International Airport as they prepared to board a flight to Vietnam via Dubai. Both Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates lack extradition agreements with the United States. Law enforcement officials viewed the move as an attempt to flee prosecution.
Despite the circumstances, Adelson maintained they had every intention of returning to the U.S. voluntarily. “If we go to a non-extradition country, then if law enforcement decided that they wanted to arrest you or me, we won’t be sitting in a foreign prison waiting months to go back,” she recalled her husband saying.
She insisted they understood what their trip might look like to authorities but believed traveling to Vietnam would provide them with a chance to clear their heads before turning themselves in.
“I thought it was a good idea because I just couldn’t think straight,” Adelson told the court.
The case stems from the 2014 murder of Markel, a Florida State University law professor who was embroiled in a bitter custody dispute with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, Donna’s daughter. Wendi had wanted to move with their two children from Tallahassee to South Florida, a request Markel had fought in court.
Prosecutors allege that Donna and her son Charlie conspired to have Markel killed to resolve the family’s custody battle. The case remained unsolved for years until law enforcement arrested Charlie Adelson in April 2022.
In November 2023, a jury convicted him of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation. Prosecutors proved he had hired gang members Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera to carry out the hit. Garcia, the triggerman, is serving a life sentence, while Rivera, who cooperated with authorities, received a 19-year sentence.
Garcia’s ex-wife, Katherine Magbanua, who had been dating Charlie Adelson at the time, was also convicted and sentenced to life in prison for her role in arranging the murder.
Charlie Adelson’s conviction appeared to trigger his parents’ attempt to leave the country just two weeks later.
“I wanted to get away, he wanted to get away. That’s what we wanted to do,” Donna Adelson said of her husband.
She testified that she had consulted with her lawyers before the trip and was assured that there were no active warrants or charges against them. “I thought if you asked your attorneys and they tell you that, I’m going,” she said.
Despite allegedly being warned they could be stopped at the airport, the couple proceeded with their travel plans—only to be intercepted by authorities before boarding their flight.
With her son convicted and her own trial ahead, Adelson continues to fight the charges, maintaining that her travel plans were not an attempt to flee justice but rather a desperate attempt to process what had happened to her family.
#FloridaCrime #TrueCrime #DanMarkel #MurderForHire #DonnaAdelson #FSU #Justice
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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

RAW COURT AUDIO: DONNA ADELSON HEARING PART 3 Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

RAW COURT AUDIO: DONNA ADELSON HEARING PART 3
Donna Adelson, the Florida woman accused of orchestrating the murder-for-hire plot against her former son-in-law, Dan Markel, claims she and her husband, Harvey Adelson, intended to travel to Vietnam to “catch their breath” before turning themselves in, not to escape justice.
Adelson, 75, made the stunning revelation during a court appearance in Leon County, where she sought her release from jail. Dressed in a purple jumpsuit and shackled, she testified that her husband suggested the trip to Vietnam—where they had previously vacationed—after their son, Dr. Charlie Adelson, was convicted for hiring hitmen to kill Markel in 2014.
“I wasn’t afraid of being arrested,” Adelson stated in court, according to CourtTV. “My husband and I—literally shocked and traumatized at what had happened to Charlie—he said, ‘We need to just get some peace, we need to catch our breath, we’re gonna go away somewhere.’”
In November 2023, authorities arrested the couple at Miami International Airport as they prepared to board a flight to Vietnam via Dubai. Both Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates lack extradition agreements with the United States. Law enforcement officials viewed the move as an attempt to flee prosecution.
Despite the circumstances, Adelson maintained they had every intention of returning to the U.S. voluntarily. “If we go to a non-extradition country, then if law enforcement decided that they wanted to arrest you or me, we won’t be sitting in a foreign prison waiting months to go back,” she recalled her husband saying.
She insisted they understood what their trip might look like to authorities but believed traveling to Vietnam would provide them with a chance to clear their heads before turning themselves in.
“I thought it was a good idea because I just couldn’t think straight,” Adelson told the court.
The case stems from the 2014 murder of Markel, a Florida State University law professor who was embroiled in a bitter custody dispute with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, Donna’s daughter. Wendi had wanted to move with their two children from Tallahassee to South Florida, a request Markel had fought in court.
Prosecutors allege that Donna and her son Charlie conspired to have Markel killed to resolve the family’s custody battle. The case remained unsolved for years until law enforcement arrested Charlie Adelson in April 2022.
In November 2023, a jury convicted him of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation. Prosecutors proved he had hired gang members Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera to carry out the hit. Garcia, the triggerman, is serving a life sentence, while Rivera, who cooperated with authorities, received a 19-year sentence.
Garcia’s ex-wife, Katherine Magbanua, who had been dating Charlie Adelson at the time, was also convicted and sentenced to life in prison for her role in arranging the murder.
Charlie Adelson’s conviction appeared to trigger his parents’ attempt to leave the country just two weeks later.
“I wanted to get away, he wanted to get away. That’s what we wanted to do,” Donna Adelson said of her husband.
She testified that she had consulted with her lawyers before the trip and was assured that there were no active warrants or charges against them. “I thought if you asked your attorneys and they tell you that, I’m going,” she said.
Despite allegedly being warned they could be stopped at the airport, the couple proceeded with their travel plans—only to be intercepted by authorities before boarding their flight.
With her son convicted and her own trial ahead, Adelson continues to fight the charges, maintaining that her travel plans were not an attempt to flee justice but rather a desperate attempt to process what had happened to her family.
#FloridaCrime #TrueCrime #DanMarkel #MurderForHire #DonnaAdelson #FSU #Justice
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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

RAW COURT AUDIO: DONNA ADELSON HEARING PART 4 Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

RAW COURT AUDIO: DONNA ADELSON HEARING PART 4
Donna Adelson, the Florida woman accused of orchestrating the murder-for-hire plot against her former son-in-law, Dan Markel, claims she and her husband, Harvey Adelson, intended to travel to Vietnam to “catch their breath” before turning themselves in, not to escape justice.
Adelson, 75, made the stunning revelation during a court appearance in Leon County, where she sought her release from jail. Dressed in a purple jumpsuit and shackled, she testified that her husband suggested the trip to Vietnam—where they had previously vacationed—after their son, Dr. Charlie Adelson, was convicted for hiring hitmen to kill Markel in 2014.
“I wasn’t afraid of being arrested,” Adelson stated in court, according to CourtTV. “My husband and I—literally shocked and traumatized at what had happened to Charlie—he said, ‘We need to just get some peace, we need to catch our breath, we’re gonna go away somewhere.’”
In November 2023, authorities arrested the couple at Miami International Airport as they prepared to board a flight to Vietnam via Dubai. Both Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates lack extradition agreements with the United States. Law enforcement officials viewed the move as an attempt to flee prosecution.
Despite the circumstances, Adelson maintained they had every intention of returning to the U.S. voluntarily. “If we go to a non-extradition country, then if law enforcement decided that they wanted to arrest you or me, we won’t be sitting in a foreign prison waiting months to go back,” she recalled her husband saying.
She insisted they understood what their trip might look like to authorities but believed traveling to Vietnam would provide them with a chance to clear their heads before turning themselves in.
“I thought it was a good idea because I just couldn’t think straight,” Adelson told the court.
The case stems from the 2014 murder of Markel, a Florida State University law professor who was embroiled in a bitter custody dispute with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, Donna’s daughter. Wendi had wanted to move with their two children from Tallahassee to South Florida, a request Markel had fought in court.
Prosecutors allege that Donna and her son Charlie conspired to have Markel killed to resolve the family’s custody battle. The case remained unsolved for years until law enforcement arrested Charlie Adelson in April 2022.
In November 2023, a jury convicted him of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation. Prosecutors proved he had hired gang members Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera to carry out the hit. Garcia, the triggerman, is serving a life sentence, while Rivera, who cooperated with authorities, received a 19-year sentence.
Garcia’s ex-wife, Katherine Magbanua, who had been dating Charlie Adelson at the time, was also convicted and sentenced to life in prison for her role in arranging the murder.
Charlie Adelson’s conviction appeared to trigger his parents’ attempt to leave the country just two weeks later.
“I wanted to get away, he wanted to get away. That’s what we wanted to do,” Donna Adelson said of her husband.
She testified that she had consulted with her lawyers before the trip and was assured that there were no active warrants or charges against them. “I thought if you asked your attorneys and they tell you that, I’m going,” she said.
Despite allegedly being warned they could be stopped at the airport, the couple proceeded with their travel plans—only to be intercepted by authorities before boarding their flight.
With her son convicted and her own trial ahead, Adelson continues to fight the charges, maintaining that her travel plans were not an attempt to flee justice but rather a desperate attempt to process what had happened to her family.
#FloridaCrime #TrueCrime #DanMarkel #MurderForHire #DonnaAdelson #FSU #Justice

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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

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