Donna & Wendi Adelson: Why Was Donna Writing in Jail?!

Donna Adelson's 2025 trial in the Dan Markel murder case put a handwritten jailhouse script in front of the jury. Drina Bernhardt testified that Donna wrote questions and answers she wanted Bernhardt to memorize for false testimony about Katherine Magbanua. FDLE handwriting analyst Kate Butler testified that Donna wrote the script after comparing it with known samples.

Bernhardt said Donna promised $10,000 and a grand piano, along with other help, if she cooperated. Donna's defense attacked Bernhardt's credibility and argued her own criminal case gave her a reason to seek leverage with prosecutors. Patricia Byrd, another jailhouse witness, separately testified that Donna admitted involvement and wanted false testimony aimed at Magbanua. One week after Charlie's 2023 conviction, Donna was arrested at Miami International Airport as she and Harvey prepared to travel to Vietnam on one-way tickets.

The state also focused on 44 checks Donna signed to Magbanua after Markel's murder. Prosecutors argued the checks were part of the financial trail linking Donna to the plot. The defense said Charlie instructed Donna to write them because he claimed he was being extorted. Jurors convicted Donna on first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation after roughly three hours.

Wendi Adelson has never been charged in Markel's death, but Jeffrey Lacasse gave the jury a disputed account of a conversation five days before the murder. Lacasse testified that Wendi said Charlie had explored "all options" for the "Danny Markel problem," including hiring a hitman for about $15,000. Wendi denied making that statement.
Lacasse also testified that Wendi asked about his Friday driving route and then told him not to contact her for a week. Wendi was home for a Geek Squad appointment on the morning Markel was shot, repairing the television connected to Charlie's hitman joke. She testified that the television was not code for murder and later acknowledged seeing police tape near Markel's home without calling him or the children's daycare.

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