Robert Adelson

Robert Adelson, Donna Adelson’s son and Wendi Adelson’s oldest brother, was initially present in the record only through other witnesses’ descriptions of family relationships. Wendi identified him as a New York doctor from whom she was estranged and discussed the family’s initial objection to, and later reconciliation over, his marriage; another witness said Robert was rarely discussed. Robert later testified for the State at Donna’s trial, describing her as the family leader, characterizing her involvement in her adult children’s lives as controlling, and recounting her involvement in Wendi’s divorce. He also said Donna instructed him not to speak with law enforcement after Dan Markel’s killing and dismissed the significance of his having already spoken with the FBI. Cross-examination tested his firsthand knowledge through his infrequent visits and phone contact and elicited that Donna had attributed the advice to family friend and attorney Michael Weinstein.