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Dan Markel— Case Archive
Charlie Adelsontrial-daytrial-dayGeorgia CapplemanDan RashbaumCharlie Adelsondirectcrossredirectcharge_conferenceDay 7 - November 3, 2023Charlie Adelson completed his testimony, the defense rested, and the court finalized jury instructions and verdict forms for the three charged counts.
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Day 7 - November 3, 2023

Adelson Completes Testimony as Defense Rests and Instructions Are Finalized

Judge Stephen S. Everett
9Proceedings
3Pages
1Witnesses
1,799Lines
2Sidebars
Day 7 of 8
Appearing:
Georgia Cappleman Dan Rashbaum Charlie Adelson

Charlie Adelson completed his testimony, the defense rested, and the court finalized jury instructions and verdict forms for the three charged counts.

Full day summary

Charlie Adelson completed his testimony, maintaining that he had been extorted and denying that he participated in, conspired in, or solicited Dan Markel's murder. On cross-examination, Georgia Cappleman questioned him about his relationship, payments, and gifts to Katherine Magbanua; his failure to report alleged threats; and recorded conversations about the investigation. Adelson said his understanding of events changed over time and that his guarded statements and payments reflected fear. The defense then rested, and the State declined rebuttal. Before releasing the jury until Monday for closing arguments, Judge Stephen Everett and counsel finalized instructions and verdict forms for the three charged counts, with no lesser-included offenses and a separate instruction defining intent over the defense's objection.

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1. Charlie Adelson — Direct/Cross/Redirect

Charlie Adelson continued testifying about his claimed extortion account, then faced cross-examination about his contacts with Katherine Magbanua, payments, police reporting, and recorded conversations before redirect addressed his stated reasons for believing she had protected and later extorted him.

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Procedural
Court Called to Order — Day 7 Opening
8 lines
Direct
Charlie Adelson - Direct (Continued) Charlie Adelson Dan Rashbaum
115 lines

Charlie Adelson said threatening contacts were a claimed extortion or police operation and again denied involvement in Dan Markel's murder.

Cross
Charlie Adelson - Cross Charlie Adelson Georgia Cappleman
1311 lines

Cappleman challenged Adelson's extortion account through his relationship with Magbanua, recorded calls, and his earlier silence; Adelson denied involvement in Dan Markel's murder.

Procedural
Recess Before Redirect
15 lines
Redirect
Charlie Adelson - Redirect Charlie Adelson Dan Rashbaum
92 lines

Charlie Adelson used redirect to explain his claimed extortion fears, monthly payments, and reluctance to contact police.

1 sidebar inside this proceeding
  1. Jet Ski Police-Report QuestionsThe parties disputed whether questioning about a jet ski theft and the witness's failure to contact police was relevant and tied to admitted wire calls.

Highlights

Charlie Adelson - Direct (Continued)“I didn't have anything to do with the murder. I knew that there wouldn't be any evidence to show I had anything to do with the murder. But, you know, it's scary as hell to think that you're one signature away from losing your life.”— Charlie AdelsonAdelson tied his claimed change in personality to fear of arrest while denying involvement.Charlie Adelson - Direct (Continued)testimony highlightAdelson ended direct examination with categorical denials that he participated in, conspired in, or solicited Dan Markel's murder.Charlie Adelson - Cross“You know, it's like, if you're gonna quote me, date me. Like, what I knew in 2014 and what I knew in 2015 is not what I know now in 2023.”— Charlie AdelsonAdelson emphasized the time-based distinction central to his response to the State's challenges about Magbanua.Charlie Adelson - Crossevidence eventThe State played Dolce recordings and questioned Adelson about statements concerning evidence, the police investigation, and the possibility of others being connected to the murder.

2. Defense Rests

The defense rested, the State declined rebuttal, and the jury was released until Monday for closing arguments.

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sidebar
Parties Rest and Plan Closings
19 lines

The parties confirmed no additional defense witnesses or state rebuttal and discussed the schedule for jury instructions and closing arguments.

Procedural
Defense Rests; State Declines Rebuttal
4 lines

The defense rested, and the State declined rebuttal.

Procedural
Jury Dismissed Until Monday — Closing Arguments
2 lines

The jury was dismissed until Monday morning for closing arguments.

Highlights

Defense Rests; State Declines Rebuttalprocedural actionThe defense rested, and the State declined to present a rebuttal case.

3. Charge Conference — Jury Instructions Finalized for All Three Counts

Judge Stephen Everett and counsel finalized jury instructions and the verdict form for all three counts, with no lesser-included offenses submitted.

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Charge Conference
Charge Conference — Jury Instructions Finalized for All Three Counts
233 lines

The court finalized jury instructions and verdict forms, waived lesser-included offenses, and overruled a defense objection to a separate intent instruction.

Highlights

Charge Conference — Jury Instructions Finalized for All Three CountsrulingOver the defense objection, the court ruled that a stand-alone instruction defining intent would be given.
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