Jurors in Donna Adelson’s murder-for-hire trial are getting a front-row seat to some of the most damning evidence yet: her own words caught on FBI wiretaps, and the undercover operation known as the “bump” that rattled her family to the core.

In this episode, we break down both.

First, the wiretaps. Donna Adelson is heard talking about buying cemetery plots, worrying that her son Charlie is “on trial for his life,” and even discussing non-extradition countries as escape options. At one point, she doesn’t hang up after Charlie leaves the line, and the recorder captures her muttering—raw, unguarded, and deeply revealing. Prosecutors say it’s not just idle talk; it’s proof of a consciousness of guilt.

Then comes the “bump.” In a bold undercover move, an FBI agent slipped Donna a note on a public street, pretending to be a former cellmate of hitman Sigfredo Garcia. The message? He knew about the murder plot and wanted $5,000 to keep quiet. From there, the pressure campaign escalated—phone calls, texts, and even contact with the family’s dental practice. The aftermath was telling: Charlie Adelson scrambled to buy concert tickets and a limo for Katherine “Katie” Magbanua and Garcia, trying to keep them close and under control.

Together, the wiretaps and the bump form a devastating narrative: this wasn’t a family blindsided by false accusations, but one already planning escapes and bracing for exposure.

Donna Adelson, now 75, stands accused of orchestrating the 2014 murder-for-hire of her former son-in-law, Florida State University law professor Dan Markel. Prosecutors argue she conspired with her son Charlie and others to eliminate Markel so her daughter and grandchildren could live freely in Miami. Charlie Adelson was convicted in 2023 and sentenced to life. Donna was arrested that same year at the Miami airport with a one-way ticket to Vietnam.

Her trial in Tallahassee is expected to continue through September 5.

Stay tuned as we unpack every detail.

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