Law enforcement· Tallahassee Police Department

Sherry Bennett

Tallahassee Police Department investigator whose work included wiretap-recording custody and a recorded witness interview in the Dan Markel investigation.

AppearedGarcia–Magbanua Magbanua Retrial

MentionedCharlie Adelson

83 lines·9 proceedings·6 mentions·3 trials

About

Bennett is useful for tracking law-enforcement interview context and the evidentiary foundation for recordings across related proceedings.

Sherry Bennett is a Tallahassee Police Department investigator whose involvement concerned law-enforcement interviews and the handling of recorded evidence. In Garcia–Magbanua 2019 Joint Trial, she testified about receiving, securing, and identifying wiretap-recording data, providing the foundation for State's Exhibit 138. In magbanua-retrial-2022, the defense called her to explain an after-hours arrest-warrant email process and to introduce her recorded interview of Jessica Rodriguez for impeachment; questioning also addressed uncertainty and omissions in Rodriguez's account. In charlie-adelson-2023, testimony identified Bennett as present during witness interviews with other investigators.

Trial Record (9)

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

On Day 7, TPD Investigator Sherry Bennett testified about her custody and secure storage of wiretap-recording disks and identified State's Exhibit 138 as complete copies of the calls.

Day 5

Oct 3, 2019

CrossJune Umchinda - CrossJune UmchindaChristopher DeCosteMentioned

Summary

Magbanua's counsel questioned Umchinda about her law-enforcement interview, emotions toward Charles Adelson, media exposure, and knowledge of Magbanua's work.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

RedirectJune Umchinda - RedirectJune UmchindaGeorgia CapplemanMentioned

Summary

June Umchinda clarified that she did not believe prosecutors personally came to her door and addressed her understanding of the recorded interview.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 6

Oct 4, 2019

ProceduralRivera Phone-Number Relevance RulingMentioned

Summary

The court overruled a relevance objection to evidence of Magbanua's attempted calls to the number Rivera identified as his.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 7

Oct 7, 2019

DirectSherry Bennett - DirectSherry BennettGeorgia Cappleman2highlights14lines spoken

Summary

Investigator Sherry Bennett authenticated the custody and storage of wiretap-recording disks, including State's Exhibit 138.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightBennett testified that she was responsible for securing the case documents and evidence, including the wiretap materials.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

evidence eventBennett identified State's Exhibit 138 as complete copies of the wiretap calls stored in her custody.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 9

Oct 9, 2019

ProceduralBennett Hearsay, Corbitt Sequestration, and Magbanua TestimonyMentioned

Summary

The court excluded proposed Bennett impeachment testimony, addressed deliberation sequestration, and denied the State's request to exempt Sergeant Corbitt from sequestration during Magbanua's testimony.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

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

On Day 7, the defense called Tallahassee Police Officer Sherry Bennett to present a recorded interview of Jessica Rodriguez for impeachment and to explain an after-hours arrest-warrant email. Cross-examination addressed the recorded account's uncertain delivery date and the limits of the interview's questions.

Day 7

May 26, 2022

ProceduralDefense case opening logistics and ruling on Rodriguez impeachment recording1highlightMentioned

Summary

The court allowed the defense to use part of Jessica Rodriguez's recorded phone call for impeachment and required advance review of anticipated defense exhibits.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Highlights (1)

rulingOver the State's objection, the court allowed the defense to use a portion of Jessica Rodriguez's recorded phone call for impeachment through Investigator Sherri Bennett.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

DirectSherry Bennett - DirectSherry BennettChristopher DeCoste2highlights60lines spoken

Summary

Officer Bennett described warrant handling and the defense played her recorded interview of Jessica Rodriguez.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightBennett described the after-hours handling of Magbanua's signed arrest warrant and testified that she emailed it directly to Investigator Isom that night.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“If it's entered after hours, it is temporarily entered. It is not available through the Clerk of Courts. Therefore, a copy has to be sent to someone until the Clerk of Courts opens the next business hours.”— Sherry BennettBennett explained why investigators would need a direct copy of an after-hours arrest warrant.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

CrossSherry Bennett - CrossSherry BennettGeorgia Cappleman1highlight8lines spoken

Summary

Bennett confirmed her interview did not directly address whether Katie knew what was going on.

Highlights (1)

testimony highlightOn cross-examination, Bennett confirmed that her interview did not include a question and answer about whether Katie knew what was going on; the interview instead addressed Katie saying she did not know what was in a bag.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

CACharlie AdelsonOct 26, 2023 – Nov 6, 2023

TPD Investigator Sherry Bennett was identified as present for witness interviews discussed during testimony.

Day 3

Oct 30, 2023

CrossKatherine Magbanua - CrossKatherine MagbanuaDan RashbaumMentioned

Summary

Magbanua acknowledged prior lies, described difficulty admitting her role during proffers, and said she hoped to see her children again despite no promise from the State.

Mentioned in this proceeding.