Witness

James Geiger

Neighbor of Dan Markel who testified as a prosecution eyewitness in all four Tallahassee murder trials.

AppearedGarcia–Magbanua Magbanua Retrial Charlie Adelson Donna Adelson

284 lines·24 proceedings·14 mentions·4 trials

About

James Geiger was Dan Markel's neighbor and an eyewitness to the immediate aftermath of the shooting. He testified that he heard a loud bang or popping sound and saw a light-colored vehicle, which he thought resembled a Prius, rapidly leaving Markel's driveway. He then went next door and found Markel injured and unresponsive in the driver's seat of a running car in the garage, retrieved his phone, and called 911. Photographs and aerial maps helped orient jurors to the neighboring homes, driveway, garage, and nearby roads, while recordings of his 911 call documented his report from the scene. Geiger consistently qualified his vehicle observation: he saw it only briefly, could not identify the driver or other occupants, and could not determine how many people were inside.

Trial Record (24)

GMGarcia–MagbanuaSep 26, 2019 – Oct 11, 2019Called by prosecution

Testifying as Dan Markel's neighbor, James Geiger described hearing a loud bang, seeing a light-colored vehicle leave Markel's driveway, finding Markel injured in a running car, and calling 911.

Day 1

Sep 26, 2019

OpeningOpening Statement - Georgia CapplemanGeorgia CapplemanMentioned

Summary

The State previewed its alleged murder-for-hire theory, expected surveillance and phone evidence, Rivera's expected account, and alleged post-killing payments.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectJames Geiger - DirectJames GeigerGeorgia Cappleman2highlights56lines spoken

Summary

Neighbor James Geiger described hearing a loud bang, seeing a light-colored vehicle leave Markel's driveway, and finding Markel injured in his running car before calling 911.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightGeiger testified that he and his wife heard a loud bang and that he then saw a light-colored vehicle leave Markel's driveway quickly.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“My wife and I were working on a laptop computer in our living room, which faces out to Trescott Drive. And it was just about this time on a Friday morning, which was the 18th. And we both heard a loud bang.”— James GeigerGeiger described what first drew his attention to the neighboring residence.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

sidebarObjections to Identification PhotographsDuring James Geiger - Direct

Summary

Counsel disputed photographs offered for identification, including a family photograph challenged as prejudicial and a Prius aerial photograph questioned for authentication.

CrossJames Geiger - CrossJames GeigerSaam Zangeneh2highlights16lines spoken

Summary

Geiger estimated that he saw the departing vehicle for about ten to 15 seconds but could not identify its occupants or driver; he also said he likely stepped on glass near Markel's car.

Highlights (2)

Quote“I would say probably ten to 15 seconds. Ten probably would be closer.”— James GeigerGeiger estimated the brief duration of his view of the departing vehicle.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

testimony highlightGeiger said he believed he stepped on glass near the driver's-side door when he approached Markel's vehicle.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

RedirectJames Geiger - RedirectJames GeigerGeorgia Cappleman2highlights9lines spoken

Summary

The court admitted and played Geiger's 911 call, which captured his immediate observations of the injured neighbor and a departing light-colored vehicle.

Highlights (2)

Quote“We heard a loud bang and a car pulled away from next door. I came over and looked in. The garage door was up, and I thought the gentleman was backing out. I went back to my house, but he never backed out. And I came back over and his win -- his driver's side window is shattered and he's spattered and can't answer. He's inside. I don't know if somebody tried to shoot him or if he shot himself or what. I don't know.”— James GeigerGeiger's recorded account captures his immediate observations while preserving his uncertainty about what had happened.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

evidence eventGeiger authenticated State's Exhibit No. 123 as the complete recording of his 911 call; the court admitted it without objection.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

sidebarJuror Question About House Location

Summary

The parties addressed a juror's question about whether Dan Markel's house was to the left or right when viewing the area.

Jury QuestionsJames Geiger - Juror QuestionsJames GeigerJames C. Hankinson1highlight4lines spoken

Summary

Geiger identified his house and Mr. Markel's house in response to a juror question.

Highlights (1)

procedural actionIn response to a juror's request for clarification, Geiger identified his house and Mr. Markel's house on the displayed material.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

DirectDavid Sims - DirectDavid SimsGeorgia CapplemanMentioned

Summary

David Sims described finding Mr. Markel unresponsive in a running vehicle and testified that officers found no signs of forced entry, struggle, or robbery.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 3

Oct 1, 2019

CrossBill Brannon - CrossBill BrannonSaam ZangenehMentioned

Summary

Brannon described limited vehicle documentation at the perimeter and said he reported, but did not stop, a vehicle matching a description he had received.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossBill Brannon - CrossBill BrannonChristopher DeCosteMentioned

Summary

Brannon acknowledged limits in identifying the van and its occupant; the judge later instructed jurors not to discredit witnesses for speaking with attorneys.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

RedirectBill Brannon - RedirectBill BrannonGeorgia CapplemanMentioned

Summary

Brannon clarified the emergency-vehicle locations and said he promptly notified another officer about the vehicle he observed.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Jury QuestionsBill Brannon - Juror QuestionsBill BrannonJames C. HankinsonMentioned

Summary

Brannon said he learned Ms. Adelson's vehicle color before seeing the van, but could not recall exactly when.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

KMMagbanua RetrialMay 18, 2022 – May 27, 2022Called by prosecution

After hearing a loud bang, Geiger briefly saw a light-colored vehicle leaving his neighbor Dan Markel's driveway, found Markel injured in a running car in the garage, and called 911.

Day 1

May 18, 2022

DirectJames Geiger - DirectJames GeigerGeorgia Cappleman4highlights83lines spoken

Summary

Neighbor James Geiger described hearing a bang, seeing a light-colored vehicle leave Dan Markel's driveway, and later finding Markel bloodied in his running car.

Highlights (4)

testimony highlightGeiger testified that, after hearing a loud bang, he saw a light-colored vehicle he thought looked like a Prius rapidly back out of Markel's driveway; he could not see its occupants.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“My impression -- and it was like I saw it out of the corner of my eye. It wasn't that I was eyeballing it and watching it directly, but I saw it back out.”— James GeigerGeiger expressly qualified the limits of his observation before describing the vehicle.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

testimony highlightGeiger described returning to the garage, seeing broken glass and Markel bloodied in the driver's seat, then retrieving his phone and calling 911.Open in transcript →

Quote“The first thing that I noticed -- and I guess I heard it -- was that I started stepping on glass and glass that was broken, and that caused me then to look at the driver's side window.”— James GeigerGeiger described the observations that led him to discover Markel in the garage.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Cross WaivedJames Geiger - Cross (Waived)James GeigerChristopher DeCoste1highlightMentioned

Summary

The defense waived cross-examination of James Geiger, and the court released him.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Highlights (1)

procedural actionDefense counsel waived cross-examination of James Geiger, and the court released him from the witness stand.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

DirectDavid Sims - DirectDavid SimsGeorgia CapplemanMentioned2lines spoken

Summary

David Sims described finding a wounded victim in a running garage vehicle, assisting EMS, and seeing no apparent forced entry or disturbance inside the house.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectCraig Isom - DirectCraig IsomGeorgia CapplemanMentioned

Summary

Lead investigator Craig Isom traced the suspect Prius through surveillance, SunPass, rental, phone, and payment records, while the court admitted related exhibits and resolved several evidentiary objections.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 8

May 27, 2022

ClosingClosing Argument - Georgia CapplemanGeorgia CapplemanMentioned

Summary

The State argued that phone, financial, rental-car, witness, and recorded-call evidence showed Magbanua acted as an intermediary in the alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy and asked for guilty verdicts on all charges.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CACharlie AdelsonOct 26, 2023 – Nov 6, 2023Called by prosecution

After hearing a loud bang, Geiger saw a vehicle leave Dan Markel's driveway, found Markel injured in a running car, and called 911. He could not see the vehicle's occupants and only thought it was a silver or white Prius.

Day 1

Oct 26, 2023

DirectJames Geiger - DirectJames GeigerGeorgia Cappleman5highlights62lines spoken

Summary

James Geiger described hearing a loud bang, seeing a vehicle leave Dan Markel's driveway, finding Markel injured in the garage, and calling 911.

Highlights (5)

testimony highlightGeiger testified that after hearing a loud bang, he saw a car rapidly back out of Dan Markel's driveway toward Betton Road; he said he could not see inside the vehicle and only thought it looked like a silver or white Prius.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“But on my right, as I looked out, I saw a car quickly back up out of the driveway and then head towards Betton Road very rapidly.”— James GeigerGeiger's firsthand account places a rapidly departing vehicle at the neighboring driveway immediately after the loud bang.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

testimony highlightGeiger described returning to the garage, seeing the driver's-side window broken and Dan Markel injured inside the running car, then going home for his phone and calling 911.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“I looked inside, and I saw a head. It was bloody, and it was moving back and forth slowly.”— James GeigerGeiger described what he observed when he entered the garage to check on his neighbor.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Show all 5 highlights

evidence eventThe court admitted and played State's Exhibit 82, a recording of Geiger's 911 call reporting the shattered window, blood on the man's head, and lack of response.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Cross WaivedJames Geiger - Cross (Waived)James GeigerDan Rashbaum1highlightMentioned

Summary

The defense waived cross-examination, and James Geiger was released.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Highlights (1)

procedural actionDefense counsel waived cross-examination, and the court released James Geiger after confirming the defense did not intend to call him later.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

DirectDavid Sims - DirectDavid SimsGeorgia CapplemanMentioned

Summary

David Sims described his initial response to the shots-fired call, the vehicle and person he found, and steps taken to preserve the scene.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 8

Nov 6, 2023

ClosingClosing Argument - Georgia CapplemanGeorgia CapplemanMentioned

Summary

The State argued that the evidence tied Charlie Adelson to the alleged murder conspiracy, urged jurors to reject the extortion defense, and requested guilty verdicts.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DADonna AdelsonAug 22, 2025 – Sep 4, 2025Called by prosecution

On Day 1, James Geiger testified that he heard a loud sound, saw what appeared to be a light-colored Prius leaving the neighboring driveway, found Dan Markel injured in a running vehicle, and called 911. Defense counsel declined cross-examination.

Day 1

Aug 22, 2025

DirectJames Geiger - DirectJames GeigerGeorgia Cappleman6highlights52lines spoken

Summary

Neighbor James Geiger described hearing a loud sound, seeing a light-colored Prius leave next door, finding Dan Markel injured in his running vehicle, and calling 911.

Highlights (6)

evidence eventThe court admitted State's Exhibits 1 through 3, photographs of Geiger's residence and the view from his window.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

testimony highlightGeiger testified that, after hearing a loud sound, he saw what appeared to be a light-colored Prius rapidly backing out of the neighboring driveway toward Betton Road.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

testimony highlightGeiger described returning to the garage, seeing the shattered driver's-side window and a bleeding, unresponsive man inside the running vehicle, then calling 911.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“And so I walked into the -- the actual driveway then. And I saw that the window, the driver's side window had been shattered.”— James GeigerGeiger described his first close observation of the vehicle after returning to the neighboring garage.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Show all 6 highlights

evidence eventAfter Geiger authenticated it, the court admitted and played the opening portion of his 911 call.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“We heard a -- a loud bang and a car pulled away from next door.”— James GeigerThe recorded 911 call captured Geiger's contemporaneous account of the sound and departing vehicle.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Cross WaivedJames Geiger - Cross (Waived)James GeigerJackie L. Fulford1highlight

Summary

The defense waived cross-examination of James Geiger, who was then released from his subpoena.

Highlights (1)

procedural actionDefense counsel waived cross-examination, and the court released James Geiger from his subpoena.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

DirectDavid Sims - DirectDavid SimsGeorgia CapplemanMentioned

Summary

David Sims, the first officer on scene, described the vehicle and Daniel's condition, authenticated photographs, and testified that a house search found no one and no apparent burglary, robbery, or struggle.

Mentioned in this proceeding.