ProsecutionState Attorney's Office

Sarah Kathryn Dugan

Second-chair prosecutor across the Markel conspiracy trials, handling opening statements and key evidentiary examinations.

AppearedMagbanua Retrial Charlie Adelson Donna Adelson

5,812 lines·92 proceedings·3 trials

About

Sarah Kathryn Dugan was the State's second-chair prosecutor at Katherine Magbanua's 2022 retrial and Donna Adelson's 2025 trial, and she delivered the prosecution's opening in Charlie Adelson's 2023 trial. At the retrial, she framed the State's alleged intermediary theory, then questioned rental, phone, employment, and financial witnesses. Their answers marked limits in the evidence: a rental contract did not establish the time of a vehicle exchange, cell-site records could not pinpoint a handset, and bank analysis could not identify every source of cash. Dugan later cross-examined Magbanua about payroll checks, deposits, contacts, and the Dolce Vita recording; Magbanua denied involvement.

In Charlie Adelson's trial, Dugan opened with the State's account of the family dispute and examined office staff, a financial investigator, and a cell-site analyst about employment, cash, and handset travel. In Donna Adelson's trial, she previewed the State's allegation that Donna joined the conspiracy and later sought false testimony and planned travel. She developed phone, financial, travel, and alleged jailhouse-admission evidence through witnesses, then tested defense accounts of what those witnesses knew and what the records could show. When the defense sought acquittal on the murder and solicitation counts, Dugan argued that the evidence was sufficient; Judge Everett denied the motion. Each prosecution ended in guilty verdicts on all three charged counts: Magbanua in 2022, Charlie Adelson in 2023, and Donna Adelson in 2025.

Trial Record (92)

KMMagbanua RetrialMay 18, 2022 – May 27, 2022

Sarah Kathryn Dugan delivered the State's opening and conducted examinations spanning rental, phone, employment, and financial evidence. During the defense case, she limited Ryan Fitzpatrick's account to what he personally knew and cross-examined Katherine Magbanua about payments, deposits, contacts, and the Dolce Vita recording, while Magbanua denied involvement and disputed or could not recall details.

Day 1

May 18, 2022

ProceduralDay 1 pre-jury housekeeping — appearances, sequestration, and exhibit logistics3lines spoken

Summary

The court addressed a DNA stipulation, witness sequestration, expert access, and advance review of defense exhibits before the jury entered.

OpeningOpening Statement - Sarah Kathryn DuganSarah Kathryn Dugan12lines spoken

Summary

The State previewed an alleged murder-for-hire scheme and said records, recordings, and Luis Rivera's anticipated account would link Katherine Magbanua to it.

Day 2

May 19, 2022

ProceduralPre-jury logistics — admissibility of prior trial testimony deferred4lines spoken

Summary

Judge Wheeler deferred any ruling on prior-trial testimony until the issue was presented and objected to.

Day 3

May 20, 2022

DirectWaldo Mesa Nunez - DirectWaldo Mesa NunezSarah Kathryn Dugan88lines spoken

Summary

Nunez authenticated rental records listing Sigfredo Garcia as the renter of a Nissan Altima and recording its exchange for a Hyundai Sonata the next day.

RedirectWaldo Mesa Nunez - RedirectWaldo Mesa NunezSarah Kathryn Dugan11lines spoken

Summary

Nunez clarified that the first contract recorded its creation time, while the second did not establish the vehicle-exchange time.

ProceduralMid-Morning Recess and Pre-Testimony Logistics11lines spoken

Summary

The court admitted State's Exhibit 85 without defense objection and clarified that only the underlying document—not a planned demonstrative—could go back to the jury.

DirectChristopher Corbitt - DirectChristopher CorbittSarah Kathryn Dugan473lines spoken

Summary

Corbitt presented cell-phone, tower-dump, GPS, and rental-record analysis, while emphasizing that cell-site data shows coverage consistency rather than an exact handset location. The court admitted the main summary exhibit subject to objections and instructed jurors to disregard one disputed phone-number attribution.

sidebarCell-Phone Map PresentationDuring Christopher Corbitt - Direct12lines spoken

Summary

The parties disputed whether a cell-phone map presentation was an admissible summary or an advocacy-oriented demonstrative, including how it described locations and communications.

sidebarDisputed Rivera Phone NumberDuring Christopher Corbitt - Direct10lines spoken

Summary

The parties disputed whether the evidence supported identifying a phone number on a demonstrative as Luis Rivera's.

sidebarDisputed Phone Number AttributionDuring Christopher Corbitt - Direct3lines spoken

Summary

Counsel disputed whether a phone number shown on a slide could be attributed to Anthony Ortiz without supporting records or direct testimony.

ProceduralOJP — Proffer on 'Tato' iCloud Contact / Richardson Hearing Argument (Resumed)Christopher Corbitt6lines spoken

Summary

The court allowed the State to question Corbitt to lay a foundation for proposed testimony about an iCloud contact labeled Luis Rivera.

profferChristopher Corbitt - State Proffer ExaminationChristopher CorbittSarah Kathryn Dugan5lines spoken

Summary

Corbitt's proffer identified an iCloud contact label for a number associated with Luis Rivera; defense requested a Richardson hearing.

ProceduralOJP — Proffer on 'Tato' iCloud Contact / Richardson Hearing ArgumentChristopher Corbitt8lines spoken

Summary

Judge Wheeler allowed limited testimony about an iCloud contact and deferred any Richardson hearing unless the defense established that an Apple record had not been disclosed.

DirectChristopher Corbitt - Direct (Continued)Christopher CorbittSarah Kathryn Dugan24lines spoken

Summary

Corbitt described a 934 number saved as "Tato" in Magbanua's iCloud contacts and testified that attempted June and July calls to it did not connect.

Day 4

May 23, 2022

ProceduralApple Records Discovery Dispute — Phone Number Attribution Ruling12lines spoken

Summary

The court allowed disputed Apple account records to be used, finding no discovery violation and ordering any unprovided related discovery produced by lunchtime.

CrossChristopher Corbitt - CrossChristopher CorbittChristopher DeCoste16lines spoken

Summary

Defense cross-examination emphasized that cell-site records show handset coverage consistency rather than exact locations, challenged filtered call summaries, and introduced maps and color-coded call records as Defense Exhibits 10 through 17.

RedirectChristopher Corbitt - RedirectChristopher CorbittSarah Kathryn Dugan167lines spoken

Summary

Corbitt clarified phone and cell-site records, described July 19 location inferences, and the court admitted two State exhibits while allowing limited prior-testimony audio.

ProceduralState's Exhibit 133 Played — Recorded Statements on Garcia-Adelson Contact; Lunch Recess5lines spoken

DirectYindra Velazquez Mascaro - DirectYindra Velazquez MascaroSarah Kathryn Dugan285lines spoken

Summary

A longtime friend described Magbanua's relationships, work history, and an attributed July 2014 account; the court admitted several location, photograph, and vehicle exhibits.

CrossYindra Velazquez Mascaro - CrossYindra Velazquez MascaroTara Kawass6lines spoken

Summary

Mascaro acknowledged uncertainty about several dates and said an unrecorded 2016 police report misstated her uncertainty over who paid for Magbanua's surgery.

RedirectYindra Velazquez Mascaro - RedirectYindra Velazquez MascaroSarah Kathryn Dugan39lines spoken

Summary

Mascaro clarified limits on her knowledge of Magbanua's payroll arrangement and surgery payment, reaffirmed an error in a police report, and described her limited reaction to Garcia's arrest.

ProceduralAfternoon Recess — Prosecution Requests Mascaro Recall for Instagram Date Clarification3lines spoken

DirectYindra Velazquez Mascaro - Direct (Recall)Yindra Velazquez MascaroSarah Kathryn Dugan6lines spoken

Summary

Mascaro used her Instagram to identify July 18, 2014, as the night Magbanua's children stayed with her.

DirectRamzi Naber - DirectRamzi NaberSarah Kathryn Dugan114lines spoken

Summary

Club Fate's former owner described its operations, Magbanua's brief work as a cocktail server, employee earnings, and the loss of office records to water damage.

RedirectRamzi Naber - RedirectRamzi NaberSarah Kathryn Dugan8lines spoken

Summary

Naber reaffirmed Magbanua's limited employment at Club Fate and confirmed credit-card tipping practices.

DirectClariza Lebredo - DirectClariza LebredoSarah Kathryn Dugan65lines spoken

Summary

Lebredo described Adelson Institute operations and said Magbanua was a one-time dental patient, not someone she saw working there.

RedirectClariza Lebredo - RedirectClariza LebredoSarah Kathryn Dugan10lines spoken

Summary

Lebredo said multiple sequential paychecks occurred once a year and that Magbanua was not part of the office cleaning team.

DirectErika Johnson - DirectErika JohnsonSarah Kathryn Dugan66lines spoken

Summary

Johnson said she never saw Magbanua work at the Adelson Institute and described its staffing, payroll, and a recorded 2016 call to Charlie Adelson after agents requested records.

RedirectErika Johnson - RedirectErika JohnsonSarah Kathryn Dugan9lines spoken

Summary

Johnson said the Adelson Institute did not schedule patients on Fridays but qualified that she did not know what occurred there when she was absent.

ProceduralEnd of Day — Jail Call Admissibility Rulings and Scheduling10lines spoken

Summary

The court excluded counsel-and-Garcia and Spanish jail calls, allowed English calls for the State's stated impeachment use, and set a Crawford hearing and Wednesday jury-instruction deadline.

Day 5

May 24, 2022

ProceduralPre-Testimony Motions: Exhibit 100 Ruling and Crawford Challenge to Adelson Wiretaps2lines spoken

Summary

The court admitted Exhibit 100 and denied the defense's Crawford challenge to Adelson wiretap calls.

DirectMary Hull - DirectMary HullSarah Kathryn Dugan467lines spoken

Summary

Financial investigator Mary Hull presented bank-record and employment analyses, including Magbanua's cash deposits, Adelson Institute checks, and Rivera's changing cash-withdrawal pattern.

CrossMary Hull - CrossMary HullChristopher DeCoste6lines spoken

Summary

Hull said her bank-record analysis could not identify cash sources; the court allowed Lexus-message questioning and admitted a defense bank-statement exhibit.

sidebarMessages Used to Challenge WitnessDuring Mary Hull - Cross2lines spoken

Summary

Counsel disputed whether a witness who had testified about bank and employment records could be questioned about reviewed messages concerning a vehicle-registration exchange.

RedirectMary Hull - RedirectMary HullSarah Kathryn Dugan43lines spoken

Summary

Hull clarified revisions to her financial timeline and tax-record review; the court barred a proposed question about Donna Adelson's Fifth Amendment rights.

sidebarWitness Fifth Amendment ReferenceDuring Mary Hull - Redirect1line spoken

Summary

Counsel disputed a suggestion that a prospective witness had invoked the Fifth Amendment and requested a curative instruction.

Day 7

May 26, 2022

Cross WaivedMichael Dillmore - Cross (Waived)Michael DillmoreSarah Kathryn Dugan1line spoken

Summary

The prosecution waived cross-examination, and Michael Dillmore was released.

CrossRyan Fitzpatrick - CrossRyan FitzpatrickSarah Kathryn Dugan19lines spoken

Summary

Fitzpatrick acknowledged limited personal knowledge of the Lexus transfer and said his account of the reported confrontation came from Charlie Adelson.

DirectKatherine Magbanua - DirectKatherine MagbanuaTara Kawass7lines spoken

Summary

Magbanua denied arranging a killing or delivering money, explained communications and cash as unrelated to the murder, and described the Dolce Vita meeting as not involving talk of Dan Markel or a murder.

Procedural10-minute recess before Magbanua cross-examination4lines spoken

Summary

The court recessed for ten minutes and addressed advance review of proposed State's Exhibit 136 before Magbanua's cross-examination.

Charge ConferenceCharge Conference37lines spoken

Summary

The court finalized jury instructions, retaining lesser-included homicide offenses, revising principal-liability language, removing independent act, and setting deliberation procedures.

CrossKatherine Magbanua - CrossKatherine MagbanuaSarah Kathryn Dugan639lines spoken

Summary

The State challenged Magbanua's explanations for Adelson payroll payments, cash deposits, contacts, and the Dolce Vita recording; she denied involvement and frequently said she could not recall details.

RedirectKatherine Magbanua - RedirectKatherine MagbanuaTara Kawass7lines spoken

Summary

Magbanua defended her interpretation of the Dolce Vita recording and text messages, maintained she would not falsely cooperate, and the court admitted Defense Exhibits 39 through 41.

CACharlie AdelsonOct 26, 2023 – Nov 6, 2023

At Charlie Adelson's 2023 trial, prosecutor Sarah Kathryn Dugan presented the State's opening and examined witnesses about Adelson Institute employment and payroll records, financial activity, and cell-site and communication evidence.

Day 1

Oct 26, 2023

OpeningOpening Statement - Sarah Kathryn DuganSarah Kathryn Dugan6highlights12lines spoken

Summary

Dugan previewed the State's alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy theory, including anticipated phone, financial, surveillance, and recorded-call evidence.

Highlights (6)

procedural actionDugan outlined the State's allegation that Charlie Adelson arranged Dan Markel's killing through people connected to Katherine Magbanua.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

evidence eventDugan said the State expected phone, surveillance, and travel-record evidence to connect Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera to the Prius and to the alleged killing.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“Only y'all can determine the meaning and the weight to give this evidence, and only you can separate just mere coincidences from evidence and a conspiracy.”— Sarah Kathryn DuganDugan framed the jury's role in interpreting the State's anticipated recorded-call evidence.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

procedural actionDugan concluded by asking jurors to find Adelson guilty after hearing the State's expected evidence.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Show all 6 highlights

Quote“And at the conclusion of this evidence, y'all will be convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that this defendant is guilty,”— Sarah Kathryn DuganDugan stated the State's requested conclusion from its anticipated proof.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

evidence eventDugan previewed the undercover "bump," subsequent calls, and a recorded meeting between Adelson and Magbanua as evidence the State expected to present.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 2

Oct 27, 2023

ProceduralAfternoon Transition — Witness Located, Jury Projector Glare Note3lines spoken

Day 3

Oct 30, 2023

DirectClariza Lebredo - DirectClariza LebredoSarah Kathryn Dugan76lines spoken

Summary

Lebredo described Adelson Institute staffing and payroll practices and said she knew Magbanua only as a patient.

DirectErika Johnson - DirectErika JohnsonSarah Kathryn Dugan51lines spoken

Summary

Erika Johnson authenticated and the court admitted a 2016 call to Charlie Adelson about law enforcement's request for records concerning Katherine Magbanua.

RedirectErika Johnson - RedirectErika JohnsonSarah Kathryn Dugan8lines spoken

Summary

Johnson confirmed Charlie Adelson's dental work and said she did not remember details of a landline callback.

DirectMary Hull - DirectMary HullSarah Kathryn Dugan353lines spoken

Summary

Financial investigator Mary Hull presented admitted records and testimony about cash deposits, banking patterns, and Adelson Institute payments.

DirectChristopher Corbitt - DirectChristopher CorbittSarah Kathryn Dugan417lines spoken

Summary

Corbitt presented the State's phone, location, rental, and extracted-device records, while explaining the limits of historical cell-site analysis.

sidebarDolce Transcript Issue ScheduledDuring Christopher Corbitt - Direct1line spoken

Summary

The parties discussed ending for the evening and postponing the Dolce transcript issue until the next morning.

Day 4

Oct 31, 2023

CrossChristopher Corbitt - CrossChristopher CorbittDan Rashbaum17lines spoken

Summary

Defense cross-examined Corbitt on the limits and interpretation of phone and cell-site evidence; the court also limited use of unadmitted texts and allowed a defense chart only as a demonstrative.

sidebarText Message Context ObjectionDuring Christopher Corbitt - Cross3lines spoken

Summary

Counsel disputed whether unadmitted text messages could be used to challenge the context of a witness's summary testimony.

sidebarCall Graph Demonstrative UseDuring Christopher Corbitt - Cross3lines spoken

Summary

The parties disputed whether call-communication graphs accurately reflected the underlying records and could be shown during witness examination.

RedirectChristopher Corbitt - RedirectChristopher CorbittSarah Kathryn Dugan69lines spoken

Summary

Corbitt clarified duplicate-call methodology, a corrected message attribution, and the limits of cell-site evidence; the court sustained a speculation objection during redirect.

sidebarText Message Context DisputeDuring Christopher Corbitt - Redirect2lines spoken

Summary

Counsel disputed whether a proposed text message could be considered without earlier messages that allegedly supplied its context.

DADonna AdelsonAug 22, 2025 – Sep 4, 2025

Sarah Kathryn Dugan delivered the State's opening and conducted examinations that developed financial, phone, travel, family-law, and alleged jailhouse-admission evidence. She also challenged defense accounts and analytical limits before arguing successfully against the defense motion for judgment of acquittal.

Day 1

Aug 22, 2025

OpeningOpening Statement - Sarah Kathryn DuganSarah Kathryn Dugan2highlights11lines spoken

Summary

The State previewed an alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy, connecting Donna Adelson to a custody-dispute motive, alleged intermediaries, records, recordings, and alleged post-crime conduct.

Highlights (2)

Quote“The TV is probably about five.”— Sarah Kathryn DuganThe State identified this as an alleged coded reference in the anticipated recorded-call evidence.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“if they had any evidence, we would have already gone to the airport.”— Sarah Kathryn DuganThe State presented this as an anticipated recorded statement bearing on the alleged blackmail discussion.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

sidebarDefendant’s Courtroom Demeanor

Summary

The court raised concerns about the defendant’s facial expressions and head shaking during the State’s opening and discussed a short break before the defense opening.

Day 2

Aug 25, 2025

DirectRobert Adelson - DirectRobert AdelsonSarah Kathryn Dugan226lines spoken

Summary

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

sidebarLimits on Personality-Trait QuestioningDuring Robert Adelson - Direct10lines spoken

Summary

The parties disputed whether prior testimony or opening statements allowed questioning about whether she was gullible or simply followed directions.

sidebarLimits on Plan TestimonyDuring Robert Adelson - Direct8lines spoken

Summary

The parties disputed whether testimony about a plan affecting Dan Markel's marriage was admissible for motive and as party-opponent or coconspirator statements.

sidebarSecret Boyfriend StatementDuring Robert Adelson - Direct6lines spoken

Summary

Counsel 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.

DirectBill Brannon - DirectBill BrannonSarah Kathryn Dugan48lines spoken

Summary

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.

Day 3

Aug 26, 2025

ProceduralSidebar — Slide 38 Hearsay Ruling & Hull Late-Disclosure Accommodation19lines spoken

Summary

The court sustained a hearsay objection to planned slide 38, allowed defense time to speak with Mary Hull and review a revised PowerPoint, and directed the trial to proceed.

DirectMary Hull - DirectMary HullSarah Kathryn Dugan400lines spoken

Summary

Forensic accountant Mary Hull detailed financial records involving cash deposits, Adelson Institute checks to Katherine Magbanua, and banking patterns following Dan Markel's murder.

RedirectMary Hull - RedirectMary HullSarah Kathryn Dugan14lines spoken

Summary

Hull clarified payroll and corporate-record listings for Adelson Institute, including changes involving Harvey Adelson and Charlie.

DirectClariza Lebredo - DirectClariza LebredoSarah Kathryn Dugan71lines spoken

Summary

Lebredo described Adelson Institute operations, said Magbanua was a patient rather than an employee, and identified voices on State's 100.

RedirectClariza Lebredo - RedirectClariza LebredoSarah Kathryn Dugan11lines spoken

Summary

Lebredo clarified voicemail practices and said her relationship with Donna Adelson was primarily work-based.

ProceduralTransition — Corbitt Setup Break and Summary Exhibit Agreement4lines spoken

Summary

The court recessed for Sergeant Corbitt's setup and approved an agreed procedure for a planned summary exhibit, subject to later rulings.

DirectChristopher Corbitt - DirectChristopher CorbittSarah Kathryn Dugan256lines spoken

Summary

Cell-site analyst Christopher Corbitt explained the limits of phone-location analysis and presented certified phone records, tower-dump results, and family communications.

Day 4

Aug 27, 2025

ProceduralDay 4 Court Convenes — Jury Greeted, Corbitt Examination Resumes4lines spoken

DirectChristopher Corbitt - Direct (Continued)Christopher CorbittSarah Kathryn Dugan405lines spoken

Summary

Cell-site analyst Christopher Corbitt traced phone, GPS, rental, and message records through the June and July 2014 trips and the aftermath of Dan Markel's killing.

sidebarExpert Testimony ReviewDuring Christopher Corbitt - Direct (Continued)

Summary

The parties addressed expert access to other testimony and the continued sequestration of lay witnesses.

sidebarPrior Testimony and Adoptive Admission3lines spoken

Summary

The parties disputed whether a witness could address Charlie Adelson’s prior testimony and whether Donna Adelson’s later messages could be treated as an adoptive admission.

ProceduralAdoptive Admission Ruling — Defense Crawford and Foundation Objections Overruled3lines spoken

Summary

The court allowed the State to pursue proposed testimony as an adoptive admission, preserved the defense Crawford objection, and required a supporting foundation.

RedirectChristopher Corbitt - RedirectChristopher CorbittSarah Kathryn Dugan17lines spoken

Summary

Corbitt clarified his text-message, drive-timing, and cell-site opinions, saying his drive test matched estimated travel times and the records did not undermine his analysis.

Day 6

Aug 29, 2025

DirectPatricia Byrd - DirectPatricia ByrdSarah Kathryn Dugan66lines spoken

Summary

Patricia Byrd described alleged jailhouse admissions by Donna Adelson and an alleged request to give investigators a false account involving Katherine Magbanua.

RedirectPatricia Byrd - RedirectPatricia ByrdSarah Kathryn Dugan14lines spoken

Summary

Patricia Byrd clarified her jail contact with Donna Adelson and repeated her account of an alleged affirmative response to an accusation.

DirectChristopher Corbitt - Direct (Recall)Christopher CorbittSarah Kathryn Dugan236lines spoken

Summary

Corbitt presented message and phone-record evidence concerning the extortion account, WhatsApp communications, and post-verdict Vietnam visa and travel-related records.

sidebarLimits on Repetitive Exhibit TestimonyDuring Christopher Corbitt - Direct (Recall)2lines spoken

Summary

Counsel objected that the witness was reading an admitted exhibit word for word without providing context.

RedirectChristopher Corbitt - Redirect (Recall)Christopher CorbittSarah Kathryn Dugan24lines spoken

Summary

Corbitt clarified the timing of a 2016 article, described urgency in visa-related communications, and the court admitted the Spireon GPS certification without objection.

Day 7

Sep 2, 2025

ProceduralDefense Motion for Judgment of Acquittal on Counts 1 and 32lines spoken

Summary

The court denied the defense request for judgment of acquittal on Counts 1 and 3 after hearing competing arguments over the sufficiency of the State's evidence.

CrossKelsey Guay - CrossKelsey GuaySarah Kathryn Dugan74lines spoken

Summary

Guay confirmed parts of the State's phone-record analysis, found no July 18 call to the identified Annie Cunningham number, and described her defense-paid fees.

sidebarImpeachment Through Donna Adelson RecordsDuring Kelsey Guay - Cross4lines spoken

Summary

The parties debated whether questions about Annie Cunningham and July 18 records could be used to challenge testimony concerning Donna Adelson's records.

sidebarClarifying Voice Calls and WhatsApp3lines spoken

Summary

The sidebar addressed a proposed clarifying question distinguishing ordinary phone calls from third-party application calls after cross-examination.

RecrossKelsey Guay - RecrossKelsey GuaySarah Kathryn Dugan3lines spoken

Summary

Guay said Donna Adelson used her phone for ordinary voice calls with other people on July 18, 2014.

CrossTarana Khan - CrossTarana KhanSarah Kathryn Dugan16lines spoken

Summary

Khan said her unrecorded jail interview with Ms. Byrd was conducted at defense counsel's direction and without a request to record it.

CrossEddie Varnes - CrossEddie VarnesSarah Kathryn Dugan1highlight23lines spoken

Summary

The State examined why Eddie Varnes's interview with Patricia Byrd was unrecorded and what follow-up he took afterward.

Highlights (1)

rulingThe court directed Dugan to wait for Varnes to finish answering after defense counsel objected that she had cut him off.Open in transcript →

RedirectEddie Varnes - RedirectEddie VarnesJoshua D. Zelman3lines spoken

Summary

Varnes reaffirmed his account of Patricia Byrd's statements and said he understood she had been listed as a defense witness by prior counsel.

CrossTim Kelly - CrossTim KellySarah Kathryn Dugan8lines spoken

Summary

Kelly confirmed the 2011 timing of a home search for Donna and Harvey Adelson.

Day 8

Sep 3, 2025

CrossKristin Adamson - CrossKristin AdamsonSarah Kathryn Dugan50lines spoken

Summary

Adamson said she had no knowledge of Donna Adelson drafting or editing Wendi Adelson's filings and described the relocation dispute and later enforcement litigation with Dan Markel.

CrossMarissel Descalzo - CrossMarissel DescalzoSarah Kathryn Dugan26lines spoken

Summary

Descalzo said self-surrender is decided by law enforcement and denied knowing proposed vacation destinations or whether Donna Adelson was considering non-extradition countries.