TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Same case, two very different outcomes in the Dan Markel Murder Trial.
Sigfredo Garcia is guilty of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. But a jury couldn't reach a decision on Katherine Magbanua.
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We knew early in the day the jury was split on a decision. We did not know, until this moment, that it was over Magbanua.
For the Markel family, they're pleased with Friday's outcome.
While reading the verdict for Garcia, Markel's dad covered his face, while his wife and daughter held him.
But Katherine Magbanua was the one that you could hear in the courtroom. She started sobbing when Judge Hankinson said that the father of her children was found guilty of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Immediately after the verdict, we were able to catch up with attorney's on both sides.
Zangeneh: "The only thing that I can think of is that they thought that my client committed this murder out of his love for Miss Magbanua. That was one of the arguments that co-counsel made at closing. -- counsel for Magbanua made at closing."
Cappleman: "It's been a lot of hard work. I can't lie. It's been a long road. I'm really happy to get the beginnings of some justice for the Markel family."
Sentencing for Garcia will begin on Monday.
As for Magbanua, a case management hearing for her is scheduled for Oct. 22.
In a statement, Charlie Adelson's lawyer, David Oscar Markus, had this to say about Friday's outcome in the Dan Markel trial:
"My first reaction is that I hope the Markel family feels some sense of justice and relief that Garcia was convicted. This trial must have been so hard and taxing on them. My second reaction is that the prosecution couldn’t prove its theory on Katie after 3 years of really thorough investigation and preparation. This is why they have not charged Charlie and his family — the case simply isn’t there. We don’t charge people based on podcast and internet speculation. The prosecution rightfully understood that it couldn’t prove a case against Charlie before this trial. After the hung jury, its prospects have gone down not up."
To watch the trial live, click here. If you missed something in court, you can see our daily recaps here.
