TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Donna Adelson's trial set to start Tuesday has been continued after her attorney withdrew from the case. She is accused of murdering Florida State Law Professor Dan Markel in 2014.
Donna is Markel's former mother-in-law. Donna is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation to commit murder. Adelson has pleaded not guilty.
Find links to our previous coverage of this along with a live blog of updates from court below.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Adelson's final court appearance before trial
- Adelson's attorneys ask case to be dismissed
- Trial date set for Adelson
- Adelson arrest video released
- Neighbors remember Dan Markel 10 years after murder
LIVE UPDATES:
SEPT 17. 5:45 P.M.
Adelson's new lead counsel, Alex Morris, answered our questions about the next steps in the case outside the courthouse Tuesday. Watch that unedited video below.
The local criminal defense attorney said initial talks with the state indicate the trial could be moved back to sometime between November and February.
Morris said Adelson was upset she could not go to trial this week.
"It's been a stressful day for Mrs. Adelson, there's no doubt about that," Morris said.
He said due to the conflict, both Donna and Charlie are better off with the switch.
"The question is if their positions are at odds with one another and there's absolutely the potential for that and that's the issue," Morris said.
Morris said he will be working hard on the case ahead of case management set for October 15.
"I think that it's going to open up opportunities as it relates to negotiations," Morris said. "I think that it opens up pathways to exploring different pathways to defenses that weren't previously available."
SEPT 17. 1:18 P.M.
Attorney Dan Rashbaum will no longer represent Donna Adelson. This comes after a new attorney for Charlie Adelson, Donna's son, said he is not waiving attorney client privilege with Rashbaum. See video of that development in court by clicking play below.
Rashbaum represented Charlie in his 2023 trial that resulted in his conviction for the murder of FSU Law Professor Dan Markel.
The Miami attorney said he had a waiver from Charlie from December. However, Charlie's attorney said he will not waive his 6th amendment right.
Case management has been set for October 15.
SEPT. 17 10:45 A.M.
Donna Adelson will keep attorney Dan Rashbaum as a part of her counsel.
Adelson met with an attorney independent of Rashbaum to weigh her options when it comes to conflict with her defense. She is being represented by the same Miami lawyer who defended her son Charlie last year. Charlie's new attorney said he is not waiving his conflict of interest.
Court is in recess again and will reconvene until 1:15 p.m. Jurors are set to be called in at 2.
SEPT 17. 9:30 A.M.
Neighborhood reporter, Kendall Brandt, is at the court house where the trial is in recess. She explains why in the video embedded below.
HAPPENING NOW: @kendallbrandttv is outside the courthouse where Donna Adelson is on trial for the alleged murder of Dan Markel in Tallahassee. That murder took place over 10 years ago. pic.twitter.com/CUVwgzj1pd
— ABC 27 (@abc27) September 17, 2024
SEPT 17. 8:45 A.M.
Jury selection is on hold as Charlie Adelson’s new attorney says he is not waiving conflict of interest with his former attorney representing his mother, Dan Rashbaum.
🧵: Day one of jury selection in the trial of Donna Adelson is on pause as of 8:45 a.m. this morning.
— Kendall Brandt (@kendallbrandttv) September 17, 2024
The attorney says Charlie does not want Rashbaum or Donna’s other attorney, Alex Morris, to cross examine him on the stand. His attorney says it violates his right to attorney client privilege and Rashbaum’s knowledge taints any ability to cross examine him partially.
Court is in recess and will reconvene at 10:30.
