Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast by Moms and Mysteries Podcast

September 25, 2025 The Killing of Professor Dan Markel: The Adelson Family's Web of Deceit (Part 2)

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

Who Had Dan Markel Killed? January 17, 2018
New York Times Wedding Announcement February 26, 2006
Adelson flight to Vietnam lets state argue 'consciousness of guilt' in Markel murder, November 15, 2023
DAN MARKEL MURDER TRIAL: How we got here
Katherine Magbanua sentenced to life in prison July 29, 2022
Katherine Magbanua found guilty of all charges in murder of Dan Markel May 30, 2022
Suspects in Markel murder case to be tried together June 20, 2018
Sigfredo Garcia found guilty, mistrial declared for Katherine Magbanua in Dan Markel's murder
Charlie Adelson arrested on murder charges in connection to Dan Markel murder April 21, 2022
Sigfredo Garcia gets life in prison for murder of Dan Markel Sept. 20, 2019
Dan Markel case: Family says justice 'partially served' with murder verdict and mistrial Oct 11, 2019
Florida dentist guilty of hiring hitman to kill brother-in-law Daniel Markel after custody fight with relative Nov 6, 2023
Charlie Adelson sentenced to life in murder for hire plot | CNN Dec 12, 2023
Katherine Magbanua, previously convicted, testifies on Day 3 of Charlie Adelson trial Oct. 30, 2023
Sigfredo Garcia Probable Cause Affidavit
Charlie Adelson Appeal
Markel, Adelson sparred up to the end
'Chilling' conversation takes center stage as Wendi's ex testifies in Donna Adelson murder trial (Jeff, June, testimonies)
Dysfunctional family reunion: Kids against mom in Donna Adelson trial | Analysis (Rob and Wendi's testimonies)
Donna Adelson arrested in Dan Markel murder after booking one-way plane tickets to Vietnam
Friends recall Dan Markel
https://www.justicefordan.com/post/remembering-danny-on-his-50th-birthday
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
Wendi Adelson says Donna Adelson 'micromanaged my life' | Court TV
Charlie Adelson trashes 'inbred' jurors in jail calls to his mom | Court TV
FL v. Adelson: Dentist Mastermind Murder Trial | Court TV
https://www.stevenbepstein.com/wendi-adelson-interview
https://edca.1dca.org/DcaDocs/2019/4005/2019-4005_Brief_1043927_RC12202D20Transcript20Received.pdf
How Police Tracked Down and Caught 2 Suspected Hit Men in FSU Professor Murder Case
https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/bump-operation-led-to-phone-calls-restaurant-meeting-jurors-told-in-trial-for-murder-of-law-prof-markel
Phone call recordings and video evidence played in courtroom to wrap day 7 of Donna Adelson trial
Motives, codewords, wiretaps, and persistence: Backstory of Charlie Adelson's arrest
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/09/08/police-markels-ex-brother--law-looked-into-hitman/90093878/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVpGpA-Qbno
Wendi Adelson's ex-boyfriend testifies about chilling hitman comment | Court TV
Wendi Adelson says Donna Adelson 'micromanaged my life' | Court TV
Donna and Adelson family net worth: 'Piles' of cash, millions in bank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-gyH8rXdIg
'Spike in cash,' investigators following the money after Dan Markel's murder
https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/judge_in_dan_markel_murder_case_approves_subpoena_for_breast_implant_paymen?utm_source=chatgpt.com#google_vignette
Markel murder trial day 6: Retired, undercover FBI agent takes stand
Money was big focus on Day 6 of Dan Markel murder trial
Prosecutor questions Florida dentist's claim he was extorted, not a murder-for-hire mastermind | AP News
Wendi Adelson says she was surprised to learn Charlie knew Dan Markel's murderer all along
Charlie Adelson testifies about gifts to co-conspirator, texts with mom in Dan Markel murder trial
https://www.courttv.com/news/fl-v-donna-adelson-matriarch-mastermind-murder-trial/
Man is charged in death of law prof Dan Markel; case is reportedly investigated as murder for hire.
New Suspect Arrested in 2014 Murder of Florida Professor Dan Markel - ABC News
Markel, Adelson sparred up to the end
See a timeline of key dates in the Dan Markel murder case
Judge orders parents to appear for questioning as Charlie Adelson's trial approaches
Charlie Adelson appeals conviction and life sentence for 2014 murder of Dan Markel
https://www.courttv.com/news/charlie-adelson-transfers-to-south-dakota-prison/#google_vignette
'It's not me:' Donna Adelson's plea in call to undercover agent wraps up marathon day of testimony
State rests its case in Donna Adelson trial after witnesses who spent time with Donna in jail testify
Donna Adelson's murder trial features her adult children, fellow inmates and an undercover FBI agent as witnesses | CNN
Donna's emails (MUST READ)
Ruth Markel talks about her search to find meaning after the murder of her son, Dan.
https://ruthmarkel.com/
The Dan Markel Case: An Interview With Ruth Markel
Wendi Adelson testifies in mother's murder trial
Jury hears opening statements in trial of Florida matriarch charged in her ex-son-in-law's death
Ruth Markel wins Victim/Survivor of the Year Award, for 'kind,' firm' advocacy, passage of Markel Act & more
The Dan Markel Case: Video Of Wendi Adelson Reacting To His Death; Charlie Adelson Joking About Hiring A Hitman - Above the Law
LIVE BLOG: 'It will be up to y'all to decide,' Wendi Adelson testifies in brother's murder trial
Ex-wife Wendi Adelson testifies under immunity in Dan Markel case
PrawfsBlawg: Cubby Markel's Got a Name! Or two... or three.
Was Wendi Adelson Involved in the Murder-for-Hire Plot of Her Ex-Husband? Inside Dan Markel's Killing — and Where She Is Now
Wendi Adelson's Police Interview Deconstructed By Homicide Detective, FBI Special Agent
Part Two: Wendi Adelson's Police Interview Analyzed By Seasoned Investigators
Wendi Adelson Interview
Judge Admonishes Donna Adelson for Not Controlling Emotions
Judge asks Donna Adelson to control her emotions during testimony
Jailhouse informants testify Donna Adelson confessed, tried to buy false testimony | Court TV
https://www.wtxl.com/downtown-tallahassee/jury-learning-about-donnas-character-through-close-friends-in-day-1-of-defense-presenting-its-case
Donna Adelson defense casts suspicion on Charlie, Wendi as they seek trial dismissal
'Our family was cursed': Jury hears desperate Donna Adelson call, attempt to leave U.S.
https://www.wctv.tv/2025/08/27/live-updates-donna-adelson-trial-testimony-day-4/
Family drama takes center stage at Donna Adelson's murder trial | Court TV
Donna Adelson's big decision: Take the stand or hope silence saves her | Legal analysis
NEW! What Donna's Planner Says about Her Psyche & What She Was Doing to Prepare for Vietnam
Donna Adelson Trial: Defense Witness Day 8
Jury asked to follow detailed communication records over Dan Markel's murder in Donna Adelson trial
Markel Murder trial Day 5: Witness testimony focuses on Magbanua
'I'm telling the truth, man': Luis Rivera testifies in Magbanua retrial
Markel Trial Day 7: The bump, money drops, cash deposits and wiretaps
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1548660449877864
Day 2 trial tick-tock: Wendi Adelson grilled as she testifies under immunity | Recap
Day 1 of Markel Murder Trial: Witnesses called to the stand
Defense rests its case in Katherine Magbanua retrial
Defense rests its case in Katherine Magbanua retrial
Day Four: Luis Rivera Says He Wouldn't Shoot Dan Markel In Front Of Kids | WFSU News
Donna Adelson guilty as charged in murder for hire plot