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personpersonJosh TurnerJosh TurnerLeon County detective who authenticated silent jail video involving Donna Adelson and Drina Bernhardt.← All People
Law enforcementLeon County Sheriff's Office

Josh Turner

Courtroom still of Josh Turner.

Leon County detective who authenticated silent jail video involving Donna Adelson and Drina Bernhardt.

AppearedDonna Adelson
99 lines·5 proceedings·1 mention

About

Josh Turner, a Leon County Sheriff's detective called by the defense, authenticated a silent December 19, 2024 jail-pod surveillance video on Day 7 as Exhibit 70. He identified Drina Bernhardt and Donna Adelson and described them conversing, exchanging pages, and writing.

Turner testified that the recording did not reveal what Adelson wrote or what the women discussed. The video was recorded after Bernhardt reported having information about Adelson and before Bernhardt's recorded interview with the State Attorney's Office.

On cross-examination, Turner addressed Bernhardt's report that Adelson sought perjured trial testimony, the pink notebook photographed as State's Exhibit 62, and the limits of his interpretation. He said the video appeared to corroborate Bernhardt's account but confirmed that he was not a handwriting expert. On redirect, he agreed that the inaudible discussion could be interpreted only by relying on Bernhardt's account and testified that Bernhardt brought materials to the State Attorney's Office, where the materials she identified were collected.

Trial Record (5)

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

Josh Turner, a detective called by the defense, authenticated a silent jail-pod video on Day 7 showing Drina Bernhardt and Donna Adelson exchanging pages and writing. He testified that the recording did not reveal their conversation or the writing's content.

Day 6

Day 7

DirectJosh Turner - DirectJosh TurnerJoshua D. Zelman2highlights61lines spoken

Summary

Detective Josh Turner authenticated a silent jail video showing Bernhardt and Mrs. Adelson conversing and writing, while the defense emphasized that its content could not be determined.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightTurner identified Bernhardt and Mrs. Adelson in the video and described them sitting together, conversing, and writing or reviewing pages, while acknowledging the video did not reveal the contents of their writing or discussion.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Quote“It appears she took a piece of paper out of her notebook and is showing Mrs. Adelson something on that page.”— Josh TurnerTurner described a visible exchange during the silent surveillance recording without attributing any specific written content to either woman.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
CrossJosh Turner - CrossJosh TurnerGeorgia Cappleman2highlights31lines spoken

Summary

Turner connected Bernhardt's reported notebook instructions to the jail video, while acknowledging he was not a handwriting expert.

Highlights (2)

Quote“Her instructions were to read over that and to trace it in her own handwriting and provide that back to Mrs. Adelson.”— Josh TurnerTurner described the instructions Bernhardt reported receiving for the notebook material.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
evidence eventTurner testified that the December 19 jail video appeared to corroborate what Bernhardt had told law enforcement, while acknowledging he was not a handwriting expert.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
sidebarDefense Witness and Testimony Scheduling

Summary

The court and counsel discussed the remaining defense witnesses, time to review admitted exhibits with the defendant, and notice and deposition planning for a possible new witness.