Verdict
73 linesJUDGE EVERETT: Everyone can be seated.
JUDGE EVERETT: Are they still bringing up Mr. Adelson?
JUDGE EVERETT: For everyone in the gallery, once the verdict is read, if there can please be no expressions either of shock or anger, please have no reaction at all.
JUDGE EVERETT: We're going to thank the jury for their service and then they'll be dismissed.
JUDGE EVERETT: But again, it's very important not to either praise them or, uh, be negative concerning whatever the outcome of this is going to be. If you don't think you can control yourself, please step outside now so it does not become an issue. Jury comes in. Remain seated. Everyone else, please rise. But the foreperson can be seated. Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?
JUROR: Yes, Your Honor.
JUDGE EVERETT: If you please, could you hand the verdict form to the bailiff.
JUDGE EVERETT: The verdict form is in its proper order. Madam Clerk, please publish the verdict.
COURT CLERK: In the Circuit Court of the Second Judicial Circuit in and for Leon County, Florida, the State of Florida v. Charles Adelson, case number 2016-CF-3036B.
COURT CLERK: Verdict: Count 1. We, the jury, find as follows as to count 1 of the indictment, first-degree murder: the defendant is guilty of first-degree murder.
COURT CLERK: Count 2. We, the jury, find as follows as to count 2 of the indictment, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder: the defendant is guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
COURT CLERK: Count 3. We, the jury, find as follows as to count 3 of the indictment, solicitation to commit first-degree murder: the defendant is guilty of solicitation to commit first-degree murder.
COURT CLERK: So say we all this 6th day of November 2023.
JUDGE EVERETT: Does the defense wish for the court to poll the jurors?
JUROR: Yes, Your Honor.
JUDGE EVERETT: Juror Moore, was your verdict and the verdict of the jury as a whole just announced?
JUROR: Yes.
JUDGE EVERETT: Juror Brazos, was your verdict and the verdict of the jury as a whole just announced?
JUROR: It was.
JUDGE EVERETT: Juror Gardner, was your verdict and the verdict of the jury as a whole just announced?
JUROR: Yes, it was.
JUDGE EVERETT: Juror Strong, was your verdict and the verdict of the jury as a whole just announced?
JUROR: Yes, sir.
JUDGE EVERETT: Juror Craft, was your verdict and the verdict of the jury as a whole just announced?
JUROR: Yes, Your Honor.
JUDGE EVERETT: Juror Melm, was your verdict and the verdict of the jury as a whole just announced?
JUROR: Yes, sir.
JUDGE EVERETT: Juror Holly, was your verdict and the verdict of the jury as a whole just announced?
JUROR: Yes, sir.
JUDGE EVERETT: Juror Thorn, was your verdict and the verdict of the jury as a whole just announced?
JUROR: Yes, sir.
JUDGE EVERETT: Juror Brim, was your verdict and the verdict of the jury as a whole just announced?
JUROR: Yes, sir.
JUDGE EVERETT: Juror Williams, was your verdict and the verdict of the jury as a whole just announced?
JUROR: Yes, sir.
JUDGE EVERETT: Juror Douglas, was your verdict and the verdict of the jury as a whole just announced?
JUROR: Yes, Your Honor.
JUDGE EVERETT: Juror Platt, was your verdict and the verdict of the jury as a whole just announced?
JUROR: Yes, Your Honor.
JUDGE EVERETT: Members of the jury, I'm going to give you one last brief instruction and from here you will be discharged from your service.
JUDGE EVERETT: On behalf of the parties, the lawyers, and the people of the State of Florida, I want to thank you for your time and consideration of this case.
JUDGE EVERETT: I'm also going to advise you of some special privileges that are enjoyed by jurors.
JUDGE EVERETT: No juror can be required to talk about the discussions that occurred in the jury room, except by court order. For many centuries, our society has relied upon juries for consideration of difficult cases.
JUDGE EVERETT: We have recognized for hundreds of years that a jury's deliberations, discussions, and votes should remain a private affair for as long as they wish it.
JUDGE EVERETT: Therefore, the law gives you a unique privilege not to speak about the jury's work.
JUDGE EVERETT: The lawyers and their representatives are not permitted to initiate any communication with you concerning the trial.
JUDGE EVERETT: However, you may speak to the lawyers or anyone else about the trial if you desire.
JUDGE EVERETT: You also have the right to refuse to speak with anyone.
JUDGE EVERETT: A request may come from those who are simply curious or from those who might seek to find fault with this decision.
JUDGE EVERETT: It will be up to you to decide whether to preserve your privacy as a juror.
JUDGE EVERETT: We give you our sincere thanks for the work that you have performed over this two-week trial.
JUDGE EVERETT: You are discharged. Have a wonderful evening.
JUDGE EVERETT: Everyone may be seated.
JUDGE EVERETT: Mr. Adelson, you are going to be remanded pending sentencing at this time.
JUDGE EVERETT: Does the defense wish to have a pre-sentence investigation report prepared as to counts two and three?
MR. RASHBAUM: Yes, Your Honor.
JUDGE EVERETT: Very well.
JUDGE EVERETT: The court will order that the pre-sentence investigation be prepared by the Department of Corrections. I believe it will take possibly a month. I'm not sure if it will take longer than that. From there, will the parties be prepared to move into sentencing?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Yes, Your Honor. May I have a moment to confirm with the family?
JUDGE EVERETT: If they wish to make any impact statements tonight?
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Yes, sir.
JUDGE EVERETT: Go ahead.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: I'm not prepared to present victim impact tonight, but as you know, the family members have traveled a great distance, so we're hoping, Your Honor, you'll permit them to appear and make those statements by Zoom whenever we're reconvening for sentencing.
JUDGE EVERETT: That will be permitted. Anyone who wishes to provide testimony for the sentencing portion may do so over Zoom. I believe this does not implicate any right of confrontation unless the defense has something to raise concerning that matter.
MR. RASHBAUM: No, Your Honor.
JUDGE EVERETT: Very well.
JUDGE EVERETT: We are in recess at this point.
JUDGE EVERETT: Oh, yes.
JUDGE EVERETT: We are going to wait until the jurors have vacated the courthouse, and from there everyone will be dismissed.
JUDGE EVERETT: Go ahead and set a case management date as a status, and this will ensure that we have the PSI in place.
JUDGE EVERETT: That will be on December 12th at 2:30 in the afternoon. If everything is prepared, we can go ahead and have the final disposition on that day as well.
MS. CAPPLEMAN: Yes, Your Honor.
JUDGE EVERETT: Have a good night, everyone.