The Trial Of Donna Adelson | The Murder Of Dan Markel cover art

The Trial Of Donna Adelson | The Murder Of Dan Markel

The Trial Of Donna Adelson | The Murder Of Dan Markel

By: Hidden Killers Podcast
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About this listen

 Uncover the shocking details behind the 2014 murder of Florida law professor Dan Markel in this gripping true crime podcast. "The Trial of Donna Adelson, The Murder of Dan Markel" investigates the Adelson family’s deep entanglement in a crime that shook Tallahassee and the legal world.

At the center of this case is Donna Adelson, now facing charges for her alleged role in orchestrating Markel’s murder, alongside her son, Charlie Adelson, the convicted mastermind serving a life sentence for first-degree murder. The podcast delves into the family’s motives, including a bitter custody battle and financial disputes, while exploring Harvey Adelson’s suspected but uncharged involvement.

With exclusive insights into cell phone records, financial transactions, and witness testimonies, this podcast provides a comprehensive analysis of the prosecution’s case, the legal proceedings, and the dark dynamics of a family torn apart by crime. If you're fascinated by true crime, courtroom drama, and real-life betrayals, this series is a must-listen.

🎧 Subscribe now to uncover the truth behind one of Florida’s most infamous murder-for-hire cases!

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Episodes
  • Wendy Adelson’s Fate: Pawn, Accomplice, or Something Worse?

    Wendy Adelson’s Fate: Pawn, Accomplice, or Something Worse?
    Sep 24 2025
    Wendy Adelson’s Fate: Pawn, Accomplice, or Something Worse?

    The final cut pulls all the threads together. The hosts debate Jeff’s credibility as one of the strongest witnesses against Wendy—someone with no motive to lie, who came across as clear, consistent, and believable. His testimony doesn’t just implicate Charlie and Donna; it shines an uncomfortable light on Wendy herself.

    The discussion ranges from Donna’s iron-grip control (compared to Marie Barone from Everybody Loves Raymond) to audience comments about whether Wendy deserves sympathy or condemnation. Was she simply a pawn in her family’s manipulations, or a willing participant who chose convenience over morality?

    The segment blends serious analysis with lighthearted banter, including side riffs about dogs, carpet cleaning, and family dysfunction. It’s the classic Hidden Killers mix—dark true crime insights cut with gallows humor and cultural comparisons that make the case even more surreal.

    This closer makes clear: whatever the future holds for Wendy Adelson, Jeff Lacasse’s testimony will remain one of the biggest turning points in the entire saga.

    Hashtags:
     #WendyAdelson #DonnaAdelson #CharlieAdelson #DanMarkel #JeffLacasse #HiddenKillers #TrueCrime #CourtroomDrama #FamilyControl #MurderTrial

    Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video?

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    Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here:     https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
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    12 mins
  • Did Wendi Adelson Try To Frame Her Ex-Boyfriend For The Murder Of Her Ex-Husband Dan Markel?

    Did Wendi Adelson Try To Frame Her Ex-Boyfriend For The Murder Of Her Ex-Husband Dan Markel?
    Sep 23 2025
    Did Wendi Adelson Try To Frame Her Ex-Boyfriend For The Murder Of Her Ex-Husband Dan Markel?

    This segment covers the aftermath of Jeff Lacasse’s police scrutiny. Initially considered a suspect, Jeff cooperated fully—offering credit card receipts, surveillance video, and cell phone records that placed him in Tennessee at the time of Dan Markel’s murder. His cooperation cleared him, but not before Wendy suggested him as a possible suspect.

    The jury’s own questions dig into Wendy’s mindset: her bitterness about losing relocation battles, her constant frustration with custody, and her unhappiness in Tallahassee. They ask whether Wendy’s desire for control over her children’s lives was so strong that it pushed her closer to her family’s extreme solutions.

    The hosts point out how damning these questions are. Even when Wendy wasn’t under direct suspicion, the narrative that emerged from Jeff’s testimony and the jury’s curiosity made her look like someone deeply enmeshed in resentment and dysfunction.

    This segment bridges testimony with motive, showing how Wendy’s unhappiness and silence around her family’s plotting remain some of the most haunting aspects of the Adelson saga.

    Hashtags:
     #JeffLacasse #WendyAdelson #DonnaAdelson #DanMarkel #CharlieAdelson #HiddenKillers #TrueCrimePodcast #CourtroomTestimony #MurderForHire #CustodyBattle

    Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video?

    Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod
    Instagram     https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/
    Facebook     https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/
    Tik-Tok     https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod
    X Twitter     https://x.com/tonybpod

    Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here:     https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
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    13 mins
  • Was Wendy Adelson Controlled by Her Family—or an Active Player?

    Was Wendy Adelson Controlled by Her Family—or an Active Player?
    Sep 23 2025
    Was Wendy Adelson Controlled by Her Family—or an Active Player?

    Here the panel pulls back from testimony to analyze the broader psychology of Wendy Adelson. Was she a victim of her domineering family, or did she actively choose to participate in their schemes? The answer, the hosts argue, may lie somewhere in between.

    They dive into the psychology of narcissistic families, where unhealthy dynamics are normalized and children are conditioned to go along with toxic behavior. Wendy may have grown up immersed in Donna’s manipulations, but as an adult she had agency—and she chose to stay. She benefitted from the family’s influence and comfort, even if that meant turning a blind eye to extreme actions.

    The discussion highlights the danger of passivity. While Wendy was never charged, the evidence suggests she knew more than she let on. Failing to warn Dan Markel about potential threats wasn’t just a personal lapse—it may be complicity by omission.

    This segment underscores one of the most uncomfortable truths about the case: complicity doesn’t always look like direct action. Sometimes, it’s silence, inaction, and the willingness to stay tethered to a toxic system.

    Hashtags:
     #WendyAdelson #DonnaAdelson #DanMarkel #CharlieAdelson #HiddenKillers #TrueCrimePodcast #CourtroomDrama #FamilyPsychology #MurderTrial #JeffLacasse

    Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video?

    Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod
    Instagram     https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/
    Facebook     https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/
    Tik-Tok     https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod
    X Twitter     https://x.com/tonybpod

    Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here:     https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
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