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Dan Markel— Case Archive
Donna Adelsontrial-daytrial-dayGeorgia CapplemanSarah Kathryn DuganJackie L. FulfordJoshua D. ZelmanBill BrannonWendi AdelsonRobert AdelsonJason Newlindirectcrossredirectcross_waivedDay 2 - August 25, 2025Foundation rulings on divorce-record evidence preceded testimony from Wendi and Robert Adelson and an officer who described a vehicle at a Trescott Drive roadblock.
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Day 2 - August 25, 2025

Exhibit 60 Rulings, Wendi Adelson Testimony, and Roadblock Account

Judge Stephen S. Everett
22Proceedings
4Pages
4Witnesses
3,772Lines
11Sidebars
Day 2 of 9
Appearing:
Georgia Cappleman Sarah Kathryn Dugan Jackie L. Fulford Joshua D. Zelman Bill Brannon Wendi Adelson Robert Adelson Jason Newlin

Foundation rulings on divorce-record evidence preceded testimony from Wendi and Robert Adelson and an officer who described a vehicle at a Trescott Drive roadblock.

Full day summary

The court resolved foundation issues involving State's Exhibit 60, a compilation of divorce filings and related communications. It admitted the exhibit except for tab JJ, the March 2014 "Grandma Motion," and ruled that its remaining authorship dispute would go to weight rather than admissibility if further foundation was established. The court also set procedures for Wendi Adelson's subpoena testimony under use and derivative-use immunity and for a later defense proffer outside the jury's presence. State Attorney's Office investigator Jason Newlin testified about the exhibit's organization and communications concerning Wendi Adelson's relocation litigation. On cross-examination, he said he could not identify who sent one email from a shared address. Wendi Adelson then testified about the divorce and relocation dispute, her mother's involvement in family discussions, a relocation-related suggestion she said she rejected, and a remark by Charlie Adelson that a television was cheaper than hiring a hitman. She described her movements on the morning Dan Markel was killed, identified family voices on a wiretap-related exhibit, and denied knowing of a plan to kill him. On cross-examination, she testified that the relocation petition was denied with prejudice and said anyone responsible for the killing should be held accountable. Robert Adelson described Donna Adelson as strongly involved in family and divorce matters and testified that she told him not to speak with law enforcement after the killing. Bill Brannon, a Tallahassee Police Department officer, described a maroon or dark red Honda Odyssey that approached a Trescott Drive roadblock, turned around, and left; he could not see the driver.

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1. Jason Newlin — Direct/Cross/Redirect

The court heard foundation testimony and argument outside the jury's presence over the disputed "Grandma Motion" tab of State's Exhibit 60, then Investigator Jason Newlin testified about divorce and relocation records, emails, and planner material offered to show Donna Adelson's awareness.

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Procedural
Day 2 Opening — Gallery Rules, Exhibit Stipulation, and Hearing Device Confirmed
12 lines

The court set argument procedures and addressed one remaining exhibit-related pleading for an out-of-jury proffer.

Procedural
Foundation Hearing: 'Grandma Motion' (State's Ex. 60-JJ) and Wendi Adelson Proffer Procedure (Resumed) Jason Newlin
7 lines

The State began a proffer from Investigator Newlin on the remaining foundation issue for tab JJ of State's Exhibit 60.

Direct
Jason Newlin - Direct Jason Newlin Georgia Cappleman
57 lines

Newlin's proffer addressed the foundation for the 'Grandma Motion' tab and related emails in State's Exhibit 60.

Cross
Jason Newlin - Cross Jason Newlin Joshua D. Zelman
13 lines

Defense counsel began cross-examining Jason Newlin.

Redirect
Jason Newlin - Redirect Jason Newlin Georgia Cappleman
17 lines

On redirect, Newlin said prior filings went to the Adelsons' shared email account and that response patterns identified Donna Adelson as the author.

Procedural
Foundation Hearing: 'Grandma Motion' (State's Ex. 60-JJ) and Wendi Adelson Proffer Procedure (Resumed) Jason Newlin
36 lines

The court conditionally allowed the disputed 'Grandma Motion' foundation to be developed and set a limiting instruction and Wendi Adelson proffer procedure.

Direct
Jason Newlin - Direct Jason Newlin Georgia Cappleman
448 lines

Jason Newlin explained the documentary foundation for State's Exhibit 60, which the court admitted except for tab JJ.

sidebar
Email Communication Foundation Jason Newlin Georgia Cappleman
8 lines

The parties discussed whether the foundation for admitting an item tied to an email address and related communications had been established.

Cross
Jason Newlin - Cross Jason Newlin Joshua D. Zelman
30 lines

Newlin acknowledged uncertainty about who sent a shared-email message and recalled wendi rejecting a proposed arrangement.

Redirect
Jason Newlin - Redirect Jason Newlin Georgia Cappleman
9 lines

Newlin described Wendi and the boys' post-murder move involving Donna and Harvey Adelson.

2. Wendi Adelson — Direct/Cross/Redirect

Wendi Adelson testified under immunity about the divorce, failed relocation effort, family discussions, and the morning Dan Markel was killed, while denying knowledge of any plan to kill him.

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sidebar
Statement Outside Jury Presence
11 lines

The court addressed whether a requested statement should be made outside the jury's presence.

Procedural
Wendi Adelson Immunity Statement — John Lauro
21 lines

The court confirmed the scope of Wendi Adelson's subpoena immunity and set a procedure for any Fifth Amendment invocation during a later defense proffer.

Direct
Wendi Adelson - Direct Wendi Adelson Georgia Cappleman
1336 lines

Wendi Adelson described the relocation dispute, family communications, Charlie Adelson's hitman joke, and her movements on the morning Dan Markel was killed while denying advance knowledge of the murder.

2 sidebars inside this proceeding
  1. Lunch Break TimingThe court discussed the estimated remaining time for direct and cross-examination before recessing for lunch.
  2. Children's Surname DocumentsThe parties discussed whether three admitted documents referring to the children as Adelson could be used to question the defendant about the children's name change.
Cross
Wendi Adelson - Cross Wendi Adelson Jackie L. Fulford
948 lines

Wendi Adelson's cross-examination focused on relocation, family communications, and responsibility for Dan Markel's killing; the court also set limits on impeachment and later testimony from Robert Adelson.

3 sidebars inside this proceeding
  1. Review of Prior TestimonyCounsel sought to locate prior testimony for possible use after the witness did not recall making the statement.
  2. Transcript Excerpt as DemonstrativeCounsel discussed using a brief transcript excerpt of earlier testimony as a demonstrative rather than admitting it for impeachment.
  3. Robert Adelson Testimony LimitsThe sidebar addressed the permitted scope of Robert Adelson's testimony after questioning about family contact and personality traits.
Redirect
Wendi Adelson - Redirect Wendi Adelson Georgia Cappleman
120 lines

Wendi Adelson addressed the final relocation order, an email from Donna, and her account of Dan Markel's refusal to move to South Florida.

3. Robert Adelson — Direct/Cross

Robert Adelson testified about Donna Adelson's family role, statements concerning Wendi Adelson's divorce, and post-killing conversations. Defense questioning addressed his contact with Donna and advice relayed not to speak with police.

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Direct
Robert Adelson - Direct Robert Adelson Sarah Kathryn Dugan
510 lines

Robert Adelson described family dynamics, Donna Adelson's involvement in wendi Adelson's divorce, and reported post-murder conversations.

3 sidebars inside this proceeding
  1. Limits on Personality-Trait QuestioningThe parties disputed whether prior testimony or opening statements allowed questioning about whether she was gullible or simply followed directions.
  2. Limits on Plan TestimonyThe parties disputed whether testimony about a plan affecting Dan Markel's marriage was admissible for motive and as party-opponent or coconspirator statements.
  3. Secret Boyfriend StatementCounsel disputed whether a statement about a secret boyfriend could be used to show its effect on a witness and an asserted effort to direct suspicion toward Jeff Lacasse.
Cross
Robert Adelson - Cross Robert Adelson Jackie L. Fulford
37 lines

Robert Adelson described limited contact with Donna and agreed that police-contact advice was relayed through Michael Weinstein.

4. Bill Brannon — Direct/Cross

Officer Bill Brannon described a perimeter on Trescott Drive and a maroon or dark red Honda Odyssey that approached the roadblock, turned around, and left.

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Direct
Bill Brannon - Direct Bill Brannon Sarah Kathryn Dugan
101 lines

Officer Bill Brannon described the Trescott Drive roadblock and a maroon or dark red Honda Odyssey that turned around; he could not identify the driver.

Cross Waived
Bill Brannon - Cross (Waived) Bill Brannon Jackie L. Fulford
8 lines

Defense counsel waived cross-examination, and Officer Bill Brannon was released.

Procedural
End-of-Day Recess
11 lines
sidebar
Juror Appointment and Demonstrative
30 lines

The sidebar addressed anonymizing a proposed family-law demonstrative and arranging time for Juror 3's Wednesday appointment.

Procedural
End-of-Day Recess (Resumed)
2 lines
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