The Killing of Professor Dan Markel: The Adelson Family's Web of Deceit (Part 2)

Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast

In the gripping second part of the Daniel Markel case we delve deeper into the intricate web of deceit surrounding the murder-for-hire plot. This episode focuses on the trials of the two masterminds behind the shocking crime: Charlie and Donna Adelson.

• Charlie Adelson's Trial: The episode begins with the conviction of Charlie Adelson. The state's case was built on compelling evidence, including audio recordings from a Miami restaurant where Charlie discussed killing a blackmailer or a police officer. The money trail connecting the Adelson family's dental practice to Katie Magbanua, the ex-girlfriend of the hitman, also played a crucial role. Charlie took the stand in his own defense, claiming he was being extorted by the hitmen. This defense was ultimately not believed by the jury, leading to his conviction for first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation.

• Donna Adelson's Arrest and Trial: Just seven days after her son's conviction, the matriarch, Donna Adelson, was arrested at Miami International Airport as she and her husband, Harvey, were attempting to flee to Vietnam, a non-extradition country. Key evidence against her included monitored phone calls where she discussed fleeing the country and a recording where she was overheard mulling over extradition policies and reading text messages from her daughter, Wendi. During her trial, testimony from her fellow inmates revealed her attempts to orchestrate false testimony and her admission of her role in the murder. The verdict was unforgettable, as Donna gasped dramatically when she was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation, becoming the fifth person convicted in Dan's murder.

• The Family's Web of Lies: The podcast also uncovers new details about the involvement of other family members. Wendi Adelson, Dan's ex-wife, testified under immunity but was confronted with her past inconsistencies about her knowledge of the murder plot. It was also revealed that Donna and Wendi had a deep knowledge of Dan's daily routine, and Wendi's ex-boyfriend testified that she once mentioned Charlie looking into a hitman for $15,000.

• Legacy and Justice: The episode concludes with the powerful impact of the case on Dan Markel's parents, Ruth and Phil Markel. Their advocacy led to a new law and a long-awaited reunion with their grandsons.

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Sources:

Dan Markel Murder

1. Who Had Dan Markel Killed? January 17, 2018

2. New York Times Wedding Announcement February 26, 2006

3. Adelson flight to Vietnam lets state argue 'consciousness of guilt' in Markel murder, November 15, 2023

4. DAN MARKEL MURDER TRIAL: How we got here

5. Katherine Magbanua sentenced to life in prison July 29, 2022

6. Katherine Magbanua found guilty of all charges in murder of Dan Markel May 30, 2022

7. Suspects in Markel murder case to be tried together June 20, 2018

8. Sigfredo Garcia found guilty, mistrial declared for Katherine Magbanua in Dan Markel's murder

9. Charlie Adelson arrested on murder charges in connection to Dan Markel murder April 21, 2022

10. Sigfredo Garcia gets life in prison for murder of Dan Markel Sept. 20, 2019

11. Dan Markel case: Family says justice 'partially served' with murder verdict and mistrial Oct 11, 2019

12. Florida dentist guilty of hiring hitman to kill brother-in-law Daniel Markel after custody fight with relative Nov 6, 2023

13. Charlie Adelson sentenced to life in murder for hire plot | CNN Dec 12, 2023

14. Katherine Magbanua, previously convicted, testifies on Day 3 of Charlie Adelson trial Oct. 30, 2023

15. Sigfredo Garcia Probable Cause Affidavit

16. Charlie Adelson Appeal

17. Markel, Adelson sparred up to the end

18. ‘Chilling’ conversation takes center stage as Wendi’s ex testifies in Donna Adelson murder trial (Jeff, June, testimonies)

19. Dysfunctional family reunion: Kids against mom in Donna Adelson trial | Analysis (Rob and Wendi’s testimonies)

20. Donna Adelson arrested in Dan Markel murder after booking one-way plane tickets to Vietnam

21. Friends recall Dan Markel

22. https://www.justicefordan.com/post/remembering-danny-on-his-50th-birthday

23. A law professor was stalked and killed by hit men. His former mother-in-law is now on trial for the 2014 contract killing | CNN

24. Wendi Adelson says Donna Adelson 'micromanaged my life' | Court TV

25. Charlie Adelson trashes ‘inbred’ jurors in jail calls to his mom | Court TV

26. FL v. Adelson: Dentist Mastermind Murder Trial | Court TV

27. https://www.stevenbepstein.com/wendi-adelson-interview

28. https://edca.1dca.org/DcaDocs/2019/4005/2019-4005_Brief_1043927_RC12202D20Transcript20Received.pdf

29. How Police Tracked Down and Caught 2 Suspected Hit Men in FSU Professor Murder Case

30. https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/bump-operation-led-to-phone-calls-restaurant-meeting-jurors-told-in-trial-for-murder-of-law-prof-markel

31. Phone call recordings and video evidence played in courtroom to wrap day 7 of Donna Adelson trial

32. Motives, codewords, wiretaps, and persistence: Backstory of Charlie Adelson’s arrest

33. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/09/08/police-markels-ex-brother--law-looked-into-hitman/90093878/

34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVpGpA-Qbno

35. Wendi Adelson's ex-boyfriend testifies about chilling hitman comment | Court TV

36. Wendi Adelson says Donna Adelson 'micromanaged my life' | Court TV

37. Donna and Adelson family net worth: 'Piles' of cash, millions in bank

38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-gyH8rXdIg

39. ‘Spike in cash,’ investigators following the money after Dan Markel’s murder

40. https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/judge_in_dan_markel_murder_case_approves_subpoena_for_breast_implant_paymen?utm_source=chatgpt.com#google_vignette

41. Markel murder trial day 6: Retired, undercover FBI agent takes stand

42. ​​Money was big focus on Day 6 of Dan Markel murder trial

43. Prosecutor questions Florida dentist's claim he was extorted, not a murder-for-hire mastermind | AP News

44. Wendi Adelson says she was surprised to learn Charlie knew Dan Markel's murderer all along

45. Charlie Adelson testifies about gifts to co-conspirator, texts with mom in Dan Markel murder trial

46. https://www.courttv.com/news/fl-v-donna-adelson-matriarch-mastermind-murder-trial/

47. Man is charged in death of law prof Dan Markel; case is reportedly investigated as murder for hire.

48. New Suspect Arrested in 2014 Murder of Florida Professor Dan Markel - ABC News

49. Markel, Adelson sparred up to the end

50. See a timeline of key dates in the Dan Markel murder case

51. Judge orders parents to appear for questioning as Charlie Adelson’s trial approaches

52. Charlie Adelson appeals conviction and life sentence for 2014 murder of Dan Markel

53. https://www.courttv.com/news/charlie-adelson-transfers-to-south-dakota-prison/#google_vignette

54. ‘It’s not me:’ Donna Adelson’s plea in call to undercover agent wraps up marathon day of testimony

55. State rests its case in Donna Adelson trial after witnesses who spent time with Donna in jail testify

56. Donna Adelson’s murder trial features her adult children, fellow inmates and an undercover FBI agent as witnesses | CNN

57. Donna’s emails (MUST READ)

58. Ruth Markel talks about her search to find meaning after the murder of her son, Dan.

59. https://ruthmarkel.com/

60. The Dan Markel Case: An Interview With Ruth Markel

61. Wendi Adelson testifies in mother’s murder trial

62. Jury hears opening statements in trial of Florida matriarch charged in her ex-son-in-law's death

63. Ruth Markel wins Victim/Survivor of the Year Award, for 'kind,' firm' advocacy, passage of Markel Act & more

64. The Dan Markel Case: Video Of Wendi Adelson Reacting To His Death; Charlie Adelson Joking About Hiring A Hitman - Above the Law

65. LIVE BLOG: ‘It will be up to y’all to decide,’ Wendi Adelson testifies in brother’s murder trial

66. Ex-wife Wendi Adelson testifies under immunity in Dan Markel case

67. PrawfsBlawg: Cubby Markel's Got a Name! Or two... or three.

68. Was Wendi Adelson Involved in the Murder-for-Hire Plot of Her Ex-Husband? Inside Dan Markel's Killing — and Where She Is Now

69. Wendi Adelson’s Police Interview Deconstructed By Homicide Detective, FBI Special Agent

70. Part Two: Wendi Adelson’s Police Interview Analyzed By Seasoned Investigators

71. Wendi Adelson Interview

72. Judge Admonishes Donna Adelson for Not Controlling Emotions

73. Judge asks Donna Adelson to control her emotions during testimony

74. Jailhouse informants testify Donna Adelson confessed, tried to buy false testimony | Court TV

75. https://www.wtxl.com/downtown-tallahassee/jury-learning-about-donnas-character-through-close-friends-in-day-1-of-defense-presenting-its-case

76. Donna Adelson defense casts suspicion on Charlie, Wendi as they seek trial dismissal

77. ‘Our family was cursed’: Jury hears desperate Donna Adelson call, attempt to leave U.S.

78. https://www.wctv.tv/2025/08/27/live-updates-donna-adelson-trial-testimony-day-4/

79. Family drama takes center stage at Donna Adelson's murder trial | Court TV

80. Donna Adelson's big decision: Take the stand or hope silence saves her | Legal analysis