BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT UPDATE:
One last pre-trial hearing for Donna Adelson before trial is set to get underway on August 19. Friday the Defense, the State, and the Court discussed final motions and trial logistics.
Donna Adelson in court for the final time Friday before her trial is set to begin.
Adelson is accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot in Tallahassee, which led to the death of her former son-in-law Florida State Professor, Dan Markel, in 2014.
Final pre-trial defense motions were on the table, varying from how Adelson's daughter and Markel's divorce pleadings can influence the case, to how much Adelson's attempt to board a flight can Vietnam can be discussed.
"I think that it's significant because it goes to her state of mind for making the travel plans," said defense attorney, Joshua Zelman.
"The jury is going to decide what significance to give to the evidence, the defense is also free to cross-examine on all issues that pertain to Mrs. Adelson being free to travel," said Judge Stephen Everett.
Everett also weighed in on a motion into the role of Luis Rivera, one of the two hitmen convicted of the murder of Markel.
As to his leadership role, or specific affiliation, the fact that he is a gang member may be inquired into, the Judge said Rivera is permitted to be cross-examined on his involvement with the Latin Kings gang.
Following motions, Everett discussed logistics of the trial.
"I believe the number of jurors that we have under summons right now or perspective jurors under summons I believe it's near 300," said Everett.
Everett said they will select 100 to 110 jurors with 12 eventually to be sworn in, with 3 alternates.
The State said best case, they will need 5 days to present their case, worst case they need 7.
The defense said they will need between 4 to 6 days depending on the trial.
"Jury selection will start August 19 at 8:30 in the morning," said Everett.
With those suggested timelines by both the defense and the State, Judge Everett says the trial could stretch through the week of September 8.
Update:
On Friday, Judge Stephen Everett presided over Donna Adelson’s final pre-trial hearing before her trial, which is set to start August 19th. Several defense motions were discussed, including how the divorce pleadings between Donna Adelson’s daughter, Wendi Adelson, and her former son-in-law Dan Markel are permitted to be discussed in the trial. Judge Everett said the State can use the divorce pleadings as demonstrative evidence.
Other defense motions, including the testimony of Steven Webster, the attorney who represented the now deceased Dan Markel, were decided on. Judge Everett ruled that Webster can testify factually but is not allowed to offer any opinion.
In reference to a defense motion concerning Luis Rivera, one of the two hitmen convicted of the murder of Dan Markel and his role with the “Latin Kings” gang, Judge Everett ruled that Rivera’s role as a gang member may be inquired into, and he is permitted to be cross-examined on this. Rivera is to remain under the defense’s subpoena until the trial begins.
Another motion decided on is related to how much Donna Adelson’s travel, as consciousness of guilt, can influence the case. This pertains to Adelson’s arrest at Miami's airport, where she was trying to board a flight to Vietnam. Defense attorney Joshua Zelman said a warrant was not out for her arrest. Prosecutors have said she was trying to flee. Judge Everett ruled consistent with previous options that the jury can decide on the significance of this issue.
Judge Everett then discussed the logistics of the case.
Jury selection is set to begin on August 19th, with the number of prospective jurors they have summoned to be nearly 300, according to Judge Everett. 50 will be pre-screened each morning and afternoon beginning on the 19th until the court has been 100 and 110. Eventually, 12 jurors, with 3 alternates, will be selected.
With regards to the number of days the State and Defense need to present their cases, both sides said about 6 would be most likely.
The trial is set to begin August 19th and could run through the week of September 9th.
Original:
The final pre-trial motion hearing has officially begun for the woman accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot in the death of her former son-in-law, Dan Markel, in 2014. Donna Adelson was arrested in November 2023 at the Miami International Airport for the crime. She's accused of working with her son Charlie, to have Markel killed. Charlie was found guilty in 2023 on all three counts he faced, including first-degree murder.
Her original trial was set for June 3rd, but in May, the judge granted Adelson's request to delay the trial, which is now set for August 19th.
In her last hearing, the judge approved a request from the defense to review raw data from her son Charlie Adelson's phone but raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest due to Charlie's conviction.
All motions in the case had to be filed by July 21st, and no further motions will be considered after today's hearing.
WTXL ABC 27 has a crew in court and will bring you the latest developments.
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