DAN MARKEL: Florida v Magbanua, Garcia, & Adelson in murder-for-hire *Magbanua & Adelson GUILTY* *DONNA GUILTY* (1 Viewer)

Leon Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson set an April 13 trial date for Katherine Magbanua, whose charges in the murder of Florida State law professor Dan Markel ended in mistrial earlier this month.

Magbanua, wearing a blue Leon County Detention Center jumpsuit, appeared in the courtroom with her attorneys, Chris DeCoste and Tara Kawass. Hankinson asked about her legal representation moving forward; DeCoste said he and Kawass intend to continue defending her.

Judge sets retrial date for Katherine Magbanua in Dan Markel killing

After a mistrial earlier this month, a new trial date has been set for Katherine Magbanua in the killing of Dan Markel.

www.tallahassee.com

 

[GrandmaBear]

I'm not even sure what it is we're disagreeing about, do you? lol

Sort of--if I recall lol. I think its more about Donna's arrogance and such and you think its not but is about something else, I forget lol. It's nothing big, we agree generally though.

 

[Regina]

Sort of--if I recall lol. I think its more about Donna's arrogance and such and you think its not but is about something else, I forget lol. It's nothing big, we agree generally though.

For me, if Donna told the inmate that she didn't take the plea deal because she thought she'd be found not guilty, I don't believe that- I don't think that was the reason.
Despite her age, I think it was for the same reason Magbanua didn't take the deal she was offered, that is, she'd have been admitting to not only her own guilt but that of others and I don't see Donna ever doing that.

 

[GrandmaBear]

For me, if Donna told the inmate that she didn't take the plea deal because she thought she'd be found not guilty, I don't believe that- I don't think that was the reason.
Despite her age, I think it was for the same reason Magbanua didn't take the deal she was offered, that is, she'd have been admitting to not only her own guilt but that of others and I don't see Donna ever doing that.

I agree with your view of Donna never admitting her guilt, I agree she never will. I do think though she also was convinced she would not be convicted. That's where we differ I guess lol.

 

[Regina]

GrandmaBear, are you familiar with the YT channel, Guilty Words?
I only know it in relation to this case but I've found all of the episodes I've watched re the case to be so very fascinating!
The episode below offers insight as to what the email evidence shows was the dynamic between Donna and Wendi.

 

[GrandmaBear]

GrandmaBear, are you familiar with the YT channel, Guilty Words?
I only know it in relation to this case but I've found all of the episodes I've watched re the case to be so very fascinating!
The episode below offers insight as to what the email evidence shows was the dynamic between Donna and Wendi.

No, never heard of it. I'll try to remember to give it a watch later.

 

[GrandmaBear]

GrandmaBear, are you familiar with the YT channel, Guilty Words?
I only know it in relation to this case but I've found all of the episodes I've watched re the case to be so very fascinating!
The episode below offers insight as to what the email evidence shows was the dynamic between Donna and Wendi.

i watched this, she does a good show. I read quite a few comments and her responses as well. I would say it isn't anything I and most didn't already think but also see she did it quite awhile back so maybe before some had come to the same conclusions.

i too think wendi is the head of this and by her own behavior played her mom's tendencies... I've watched her in court and she's one "cool" customer as opposed to Donna...

the host though also says in many of her responses Donna thought herself so above, untouchable and that she'd get away with anything (my words, not hers) and also would be found not guilty which is how i see her as well.

i agree on both wendi and donna.

i'd watch the creator again, she's pretty good but it wasn't anything really new to me but again it was an older show long before donna was convicted.

 

[Regina]

i watched this, she does a good show. I read quite a few comments and her responses as well. I would say it isn't anything I and most didn't already think but also see she did it quite awhile back so maybe before some had come to the same conclusions.

i too think wendi is the head of this and by her own behavior played her mom's tendencies... I've watched her in court and she's one "cool" customer as opposed to Donna...

the host though also says in many of her responses Donna thought herself so above, untouchable and that she'd get away with anything (my words, not hers) and also would be found not guilty which is how i see her as well.

i agree on both wendi and donna.

i'd watch the creator again, she's pretty good but it wasn't anything really new to me but again it was an older show long before donna was convicted.

Well, to be clear, I haven't disagreed nor do I, that Donna's arrogant but surely, I don't think she was feeling untouchable as she was scrambling to get her affairs in order, not least of which was a passport for Vietnam (lol), do you?

 

[GrandmaBear]

Well, to be clear, I haven't disagreed nor do I, that Donna's arrogant but surely, I don't think she was feeling untouchable as she was scrambling to get her affairs in order, not least of which was a passport for Vietnam (lol), do you?

True but still doesn't mean she wasn't sure she'd win if charged. And so on.

 

[Regina]

True but still doesn't mean she wasn't sure she'd win if charged. And so on.

I don't think she ever was sure she'd win since Charlie was convicted on much of the same evidence and then re her trial, the inmate said she was worried about her other son's testimony.
(And indeed, justifiably so!)

 

[GrandmaBear]

I don't think she ever was sure she'd win since Charlie was convicted on much of the same evidence and then re her trial, the inmate said she was worried about her other son's testimony.
(And indeed, justifiably so!)

Yes rightly so about the other son, not that he had much direct evidence. She also wanted to testify and whether she was going to or not was a whole issue. I'm guessing it was not easy for it to be decided that she wouldn't, I think she felt she could convince a jury. Then there was her outburst upon conviction which some believe authentic and some don't. I think she truly thought she'd go free or at least get a hung jury and at no time was prepared for a guilty outcome.

It truly doesn't matter though and it will remain a matter for debate, and our disagreement on that point lol.

 

[Regina]

Yes rightly so about the other son, not that he had much direct evidence. She also wanted to testify and whether she was going to or not was a whole issue. I'm guessing it was not easy for it to be decided that she wouldn't, I think she felt she could convince a jury. Then there was her outburst upon conviction which some believe authentic and some don't. I think she truly thought she'd go free or at least get a hung jury and at no time was prepared for a guilty outcome.

It truly doesn't matter though and it will remain a matter for debate, and our disagreement on that point lol.

I think she knew better than to testify and that her indecision was all put-on.
Her reaction- I think- was to the fact that the guilty verdict on that first charge meant life in prison and then there was the continual denial of the states' evidence against her.
Re her oldest son, you know it was the first time he's testified, and the reason is because his testimony wasn't needed before but his testimony- however you want to characterize it- in my opion was devastating to the defense. For me, if he wasn't the "star" witness, he was the "co-star"!

 

[GrandmaBear]

I think she knew better than to testify and that her indecision was all put-on.
Her reaction- I think- was to the fact that the guilty verdict on that first charge meant life in prison and then there was the continual denial of the states' evidence against her.
Re her oldest son, you know it was the first time he's testified, and the reason is because his testimony wasn't needed before but his testimony- however you want to characterize it- in my opion was devastating to the defense. For me, if he wasn't the "star" witness, he was the "co-star"!

I don't disagree that the son's testimony was very impactful, I was only saying he didn't have direct evidence to speak of. He did a great job.

I think Donna had the problem anyone in that situation has, she wanted to testify but to run it and say what she wanted and not have Georgia question her or put her in her spot. I think she is full of it enough that she thinks if she could just talk and explain, she could sway the jury, just like you say of her denial of the evidence against her.

Her outburst imo was to shame the jury and have it on camera as in "how could you?? how could you convict an innocent old grandma??" kind of act.

Donna's history. I wish they'd get on with charging Wendi allready.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Just seeing an upcoming show headline that Donna has been transferred to Miami... Hmmm. She sure did want Wendi and the kids out of Tallahassee... I'd think however, Miami being the far bitter city, that the prison would be scarier... I might have to watch that one. On STS. Upcoming.

 

[Mel70]

What a disaster. Murder for hire are rarely successful. Even if the intended target.is deceased. Someone always talks. The more people involved. The more likely that becomes.

 

[GrandmaBear]

What a disaster. Murder for hire are rarely successful. Even if the intended target.is deceased. Someone always talks. The more people involved. The more likely that becomes.

Very true.

 

[Regina]

What a disaster. Murder for hire are rarely successful. Even if the intended target.is deceased. Someone always talks. The more people involved. The more likely that becomes.

You know, Wendi talked before! Just days before, she told her boyfriend at the time that her brother had looked into hiring a hitman!

 

[noZme]

This looks interesting:
I did not find a link to the video. Are recent episodes not released online?

edit - more at website but I see it is a subscription site. $1.99 a month may be a good deal.​

​

May 13th, 2026​

Murder-in-law: New A&E true crime series 'Killer Investigations' spotlights Rob Adelson's critical role in unraveling Dan Markel murder case​

In interviews airing for the first time since the verdict, chief prosecutor Georgia Cappleman, as well as lead investigators Craig Isom and Jason Newlin, describe how detectives built the case with the help of a confidential informant, Rob Adelson. The role of Donna Adelson's oldest son has not previously been discussed outside the courtroom until now.

"Right after the murder his mother called him and said don't talk to the FBI," Cappleman says in the episode. "He replied, 'I already have — why wouldn't I talk to the FBI?'" Cappleman said Rob Adelson also voiced early suspicions about his own family, telling investigators he believed his brother and mother may have been involved.

Despite being urged by his mother not to cooperate, he chose transparency, Cappleman says. His early actions, she suggests, helped lay the groundwork for unraveling one of the most complex and shocking murder-for-hire cases in recent memory.

New A&E true crime series 'Killer Investigations' spotlights Dan Markel murder case

The premiere episode of A&E’s Killer Investigations examines the decade-long investigation into the murder of Florida State University law professor Dan Markel.

lawandcrime.com