Watch the full coverage of the live stream on The Emily D. Baker YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Biij9nLHQjc

Day 6 of the Donna Adelson trial happened on August 29, 2025 and we heard the infamous recorded jail call where Charlie was disconnected, and Donna continued talking to people in the house with an open line. Her exchanges with Wendi about getting her affairs in order and taking a one-way flight, expressing concern about not being able to leave in time, were very revealing. This seemed to be a clarified version of the call, with a transcript provided. Following this, Donna was arrested at the airport.

After Agent Sanford was excused and the jury left for lunch, the court took the unusual step of swearing in Donna Adelson. This happened after an off-the-record sidebar discussion. The court asked if she was on board with the defense's strategy for cross-examining two witnesses: the jailhouse informants.

Donna, under oath, confirmed her agreement with the defense's cross-examination strategy and its impact on her rights. The court's unusual requirement for a sworn statement on defense strategy, typically seen only when a defendant testifies or not, highlights potential concern for protecting the record.

Today was packed full of testimony that is potentially devastating to the defense. Following the lunch break, testimony was heard from two jailhouse informants. One of the informants, Patricia Byrd, revealed that Donna admitted to her that she committed the crime in order to “keep her grandkids, but it wasn’t supposed to go that far”. Drina Bernhardt, another informant, revealed that Donna provided an alleged script that she was instructed to redo in her own handwriting.

The day ended with the state resting their case, Donna’s defense will present their case beginning on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

RESOURCES

Donna Adelson Road So Far - https://youtu.be/rlN7cBdTikw

Donna Adelson Trial Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbUyvZas7gL0_OPy2AliqyEjGcI8QzBu

Donna Adelson Trial Daily Case Briefs - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFdNnRZUqH62ToyQCgLbRavztmRy0ohXN

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