Donna & Wendi Adelson: Donna Handed a Witness WHAT?!

A handwritten question-and-answer script became one of the most unusual exhibits in Donna Adelson's Dan Markel murder trial. Jailhouse witness Drina Bernhardt testified that Donna created the script so Bernhardt could give false testimony about Katherine Magbanua, and an FDLE handwriting analyst later identified Donna as the writer.

Bernhardt said the proposed deal included $10,000, a grand piano, phone privileges, and other favors. Donna's lawyers attacked Bernhardt's credibility and argued her own criminal exposure gave her a reason to cooperate with prosecutors. Another jailhouse witness also testified that Donna admitted involvement and tried to shape testimony, claims the defense disputed.

The state also emphasized 44 checks Donna signed to Magbanua after Markel's murder. Prosecutors argued the checks tied Donna to payments connected to the plot, while the defense said Donna wrote them at Charlie's direction because she believed his extortion story. Donna was convicted on first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation after about three hours of jury deliberation.

Wendi Adelson has never been charged, but Jeffrey Lacasse's testimony remains a major disputed piece of the family record. Lacasse said Wendi told him five days before the murder that Charlie had explored "all options" for the "Danny Markel problem," including a hitman costing about $15,000. Wendi denied saying it.
Lacasse also testified that Wendi asked about his Friday travel route in the days before the murder and later told him not to contact her for a week. Wendi testified that the television being repaired at her home that morning was not code for murder. She also acknowledged encountering police tape near Markel's home and not calling Markel or the children's daycare afterward. 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.

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