The Donna Adelson trial is gripping the nation with its mix of family drama, a brutal murder, and high-stakes courtroom battles.

If you’re searching for the latest on this case, you’re not alone. It’s a true-crime saga that’s got everyone talking.

Donna Adelson, a 75-year-old grandmother, is accused of masterminding the 2014 murder of Florida State University law professor Dan Markel.

Let’s explore the twists and turns of the Donna Adelson trial with clear, no-fuss updates on this true-crime sensation.

The Story Behind the Donna Adelson Trial

In July 2014, Dan Markel, a 41-year-old law professor and father of two, was shot dead in his Tallahassee garage.

The killing shocked the community, and investigators soon uncovered a murder-for-hire plot tied to a bitter divorce.

Markel’s ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, wanted to move their two young sons to South Florida, but court rulings kept them in Tallahassee.

Prosecutors say Donna, Wendi’s mom, took extreme steps to “fix” this, allegedly orchestrating Markel’s murder through her son, Charlie Adelson.

This is the fifth trial in the case, with four other co-conspirators already convicted: hitmen Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera, go-between Katherine Magbanua, and Charlie Adelson.

Now, Donna faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation, with a life sentence on the line.

Trial Timeline: Key Dates to Know

The Donna Adelson trial is moving fast. Here’s the rundown:

• Arrest: November 2023, caught at Miami airport trying to flee to Vietnam.
• Jury Selection: August 19–21, 2025, narrowing down hundreds candidates to 12 jurors and 2 alternates.
• Opening Statements: August 22, 2025, kicking off the testimony phase.
• Current Status (August 25, 2025): Opening statements commenced on August 22, 2025, and the trial is anticipated to continue into early September, with testimony streamed live on CourtTV and local outlets.
• Expected Duration: Up to three weeks, with a possible verdict by early September 2025.

You can watch it live on Court TV,WCTV, or the Tallahassee Democrat’s streams.

Jury Selection: Building the Case’s Foundation

Picking a jury for such a high-profile case was no small task.

The court called 300 people and questioned 110 one-on-one about their knowledge of the case, thanks to all the media buzz from podcasts and news reports.

One juror was dismissed for taking Markel’s 911 call—too close to home. By August 21, they settled on 8 men and 4 women, plus 2 alternates, all promising to stay impartial despite the publicity.

This jury’s makeup could sway how they view the evidence, making it a critical piece of the Donna Adelson trial puzzle.

Latest Developments in the Donna Adelson Trial

The trial’s early days have been packed with action. On August 22, Day 1 brought some heavy moments:

• Opening Statements: Prosecutors called Donna the “mastermind” who funneled money through the family’s dental business to pay hitmen. The defense fired back, saying there’s no direct proof—just family gossip and shaky theories.
• Testimonies: Dr. William Clark, the medical examiner, shared graphic autopsy details, showing Markel was shot twice in the head. Donna teared up, and the judge warned her to stay composed. A neighbor described hearing gunshots and finding Markel wounded. Luis Rivera, a hitman serving 19 years, testified that Wendi helped pick the murder date. The defense hammered his credibility, pointing to his plea deal.

• Evidence Highlights: Checks to hitmen, wiretapped calls about “TV repairs” (code for murder), and claims Donna bribed inmates to lie for her with money and drugs.
• Day 3 Breakthrough (August 26): Katherine Magbanua delivered a bombshell testimony, admitting “I’ve been living a lie the whole time” and confirming she was the middleman connecting the Adelson family to the hitmen. This marked a dramatic reversal from her previous denials across multiple trials.

Legal Corner: Charges, Subpoenas, and Court Decisions

Donna Adelson is facing three heavy-hitting charges: first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation to commit murder. If convicted, she’s looking at life in prison. The prosecution has built a strong case with evidence like:

• Financial Trails: Bank records showing payments to the hitmen, funneled through the Adelson family’s dental practice.
• Intercepted Communications: Wiretaps capturing coded talks (like “TV repair” for murder) and jail calls revealing Donna’s plan to flee to Vietnam.
• Emails: Messages from Donna slamming Dan Markel and pushing for changes in her grandkids’ custody.

The court has seen some big subpoena action:

• Wendi Adelson: She’s testifying under immunity, meaning her statements can’t be used against her.
• Robert Adelson: Donna’s estranged son might take the stand to shed light on her controlling personality.
• Inmates: Some claim Donna offered cash, drugs, or even dental work to spin false stories in her favor.

Judge Stephen Everett has made critical rulings to keep things fair:

• Allowed Evidence: Jail calls about Donna’s escape attempt are in, showing her state of mind.
• Blocked Testimony: Some inmate claims were tossed out due to reliability issues.
• Data Sharing: The prosecution must hand over raw cellphone data to the defense for transparency.
• Venue Decision: The trial stays in Tallahassee, despite defense worries about media overload.

According to court observers, Donna has maintained her innocence throughout proceedings, with her defense team indicating she plans to testify in her own defense.”

Prosecution’s Playbook: Building the Case Against Donna

Prosecutors Sarah Dugan and Georgia Cappleman are coming in hot. They say Donna was the puppet master, working through Charlie to hire hitmen via Katherine Magbanua. Their strategy leans on:

• Painting Donna as obsessed with getting Wendi and the kids to South Florida.
• Using wiretaps, payments, and emails to show her involvement.
• Wendi’s testimony and her book, which hints at feeling “stuck” in Tallahassee.

Defense’s Game Plan: Casting Doubt

The defense, led by former judge Jackie Fulford, isn’t backing down. They admit Charlie and the hitmen were involved, but insist there’s no solid link to Donna.

Their approach:

• Highlight the lack of direct evidence—no texts or calls from Donna to the hitmen.
• Call the prosecution’s case a mix of “gossip” and “family drama” with no substance.
• Challenge witnesses like Rivera, whose plea deal might make him less trustworthy.
• Point out there’s no financial motive, like an insurance payout, to pin on Donna.

It’s all about making the jury question whether the prosecution’s story holds up.

Key Witnesses: Who’s Shaping the Trial?

Witnesses are the heart of this trial. Here’s who’s making waves:

• Luis Rivera: The hitman who didn’t shoot but spilled details about Wendi’s role. His plea deal makes him a target for the defense.
• Wendi Adelson: Testifying today under immunity. Her words could help or sink her mom.
• Dr. William Clark: Set the stage with chilling autopsy facts.
• Inmates: Their bribery claims could paint Donna as desperate to dodge justice.
• Possibly Robert Adelson: Could reveal family tensions if called.

Every testimony is a piece of the puzzle, and Wendi’s could be the biggest yet.

What’s Next for the Donna Adelson Trial?

If convicted on first-degree murder charges, Donna faces life in prison without parole. The conspiracy and solicitation charges each carry additional 30-year sentences.

Either way, it’s a turning point for the Adelson family—Wendi and her dad Harvey aren’t charged, but the spotlight’s on them.

The trial’s also fueling social media chatter, with hashtags like #justiceforDanMarkel trending. Appeals could follow, and the true-crime buzz shows no signs of slowing down.

Final Thoughts

The Donna Adelson trial stands as a stark reminder that family loyalty has limits when murder enters the equation.

As testimony wraps up in the coming weeks, this grandmother’s fate hangs in the balance: life in prison or freedom. The evidence paints a chilling picture of how far some will go to control family circumstances.

Dan Markel’s death shattered lives and exposed dark family secrets that continue to unfold in court. No matter the verdict, this case will remain a cautionary tale about the deadly consequences of unchecked family conflict.

Justice for Dan Markel may finally be within reach.