News Summary
Donna Adelson seeks a new trial following her conviction for first-degree murder in the high-profile case concerning her former son-in-law, Dan Markel. The motion raises allegations of juror misconduct, including social media activity during the trial. The defense argues that the jury’s verdict contradicts the evidence presented and that the case relies on circumstantial evidence, with testimony from co-conspirators and family tensions central to the prosecution’s narrative. A case management conference is scheduled to address further proceedings.
Tallahassee, Florida – Donna Adelson has filed a motion for a new trial following her conviction for first-degree murder, among other charges, in the high-profile murder case involving her former son-in-law, Dan Markel. The verdict was reached on September 4th, with Adelson being found guilty on three counts: first-degree murder, solicitation, and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
The case dates back to July 2014, when Dan Markel was shot dead in a murder-for-hire plot that has captivated public interest. Adelson’s request for a new trial highlights potential misconduct during the jury’s deliberations. Specifically, the motion raises concerns about Juror Number 7, who allegedly engaged in social media activity related to the trial while it was ongoing, contrary to explicit instructions given to jurors to refrain from such actions.
In addition, the motion contends that Juror Number 5 participated in the podcast “Surviving the Survivor,” where they discussed their interpretation of Adelson’s reactions to the evidence presented during the trial. Although Juror Number 5 claimed that these discussions did not influence their decision in the jury room, the defense argues that referencing Adelson’s reactions was inappropriate as personal reactions are not considered evidence.
The defense also contends that the jury’s guilty verdict contradicts the weight of the evidence and testimony presented during the trial. Notably, concerns were raised around the credibility of witness Patricia Byrd, who testified about what she claimed was an “admission” from Adelson. The defense pointed out that Byrd’s credibility was called into question when she misidentified the race of a defense investigator.
Furthermore, the defense argues that the prosecution’s case against Adelson relies heavily on speculation and circumstantial evidence, lacking direct proof that she had concurred with the plan to murder Markel. Juror Number 6, who was part of the jury that reached the guilty verdict, stated that deliberations lasted just over three hours, suggesting a relatively quick consensus regarding guilt based primarily on the testimony of Rob Adelson and phone records linking Donna to the murder plot.
Evidence presented during the trial included a planner owned by Donna Adelson that contained details about Markel’s car, which prosecutors argued demonstrated premeditation. Moreover, significant emphasis was placed on Donna’s attempted flight to Vietnam just before the trial, a move that raised eyebrows as Vietnam does not have an extradition treaty with the United States. Testimony highlighted conversations in which Donna allegedly discussed options regarding Markel’s murder in the context of family tensions stemming from divorce proceedings and custody battles involving her daughter Wendi Adelson.
The trial featured testimonies from various witnesses, including co-conspirators and former inmates, which detailed discussions with Adelson concerning her involvement in the murder plot. The prosecution’s narrative centered around the motive linked to the Adelson family’s anger toward the custody arrangements between Wendi and Dan Markel.
Adelson’s defense team asserts that the prosecution failed to develop a coherent defense strategy, lacking sufficient counterarguments to support their position. With the trial’s conclusion, sentencing for Donna Adelson has not yet occurred. A case management conference is scheduled for October 14th to outline proceeding details.
This case not only impacts Adelson but also raises questions regarding potential future actions by others involved, particularly Wendi Adelson, Dan Markel’s ex-wife. Prosecutors have indicated their intent to continue seeking accountability from all parties connected to Markel’s murder, highlighting the case’s complexities and ongoing developments.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
John Newton, Respected Lawyer and Judge, Passes Away
Four Arrested in Shooting Incident Involving FSU Football Player
University Football Player in Critical Condition After Shooting
Jury’s Split Decision in Michigan Governor Kidnapping Plot Trial
Wealthy Matriarch Convicted of Murder in Custody Battle Case
Transformations in Florida’s Manufacturing Industry
Trial of Donna Adelson Concludes in Son-in-Law Murder Case
Kilmar Ábrego García Detained Again Amid Deportation Battle
Trump Administration Plans Deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda
Kilmar Abrego Garcia Released from Jail, Reunites with Family
Additional Resources
- WTXL: Donna Adelson Requests New Trial
- WTXL: Juror Reveals Trial Insights
- WTXL: Community Reaction to Verdict
- WTXL: Defense Rests in Adelson Trial
- WTXL: Jury Learns About Donna’s Character
- Wikipedia: Donna Adelson
- Google Search: Dan Markel Murder Case
- Google Scholar: Dan Markel Murder
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Donna Adelson
- Google News: Donna Adelson
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
