The trial for a Florida dentist accused of being involved in his brother-in-law's murder is set to start this week. It all began on a fateful day in 2014 when a shooting occurred at the home of a law professor in Tallahassee. The victim, later identified as Daniel Markel, was found with a fatal gunshot wound. Markel, who was a law professor at Florida State University, sadly did not survive.
At the time of the shooting, Markel was on the phone with someone, expressing concern about an unfamiliar person in his driveway. Moments later, a gunshot was heard, and Markel's life was tragically cut short. Witnesses saw a Prius leaving the scene, and it was later revealed that this same car had been tailing Markel throughout the day.
This tragic incident was further complicated by a bitter custody battle between Markel and his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, who is the sister of the accused dentist, Charlie Adelson. The Adelson family even considered offering Markel a substantial sum of money to allow the children to move closer to them.
The investigation revealed that Charlie Adelson had a strained relationship with Markel. Disturbingly, one of Wendi Adelson's previous partners claimed that Charlie had explored the idea of hiring a hitman before the murder took place. Wendi Adelson herself mentioned that Charlie had joked about such a scenario and had looked into it as a cheaper alternative to getting her a gift during their divorce.
On the day of the murder, Wendi Adelson called her parents to inform them, and they subsequently notified Charlie Adelson. Phone records show that Charlie Adelson contacted Katherine Magbanua, a woman he had a personal relationship with, shortly after being informed of the shooting. The investigation suggests that he may have shared information about the custody battle and his interest in hiring a hitman with Magbanua. Later, Magbanua allegedly recruited Sigfredo Garcia, the father of her children, to carry out the murder.
The plot thickened when Garcia enlisted the help of another individual, Luis Rivera, in Markel's murder. Surveillance footage showed a Prius stalking Markel before his death, and this vehicle, rented by Luis Rivera, was linked to Magbanua's home, the fitness club Markel visited, and his residence.
Phone records revealed numerous calls between Magbanua, Garcia, and Charlie Adelson leading up to and after Markel's death. However, charges were not filed against Harvey Adelson, Charlie and Wendi's father, in connection with the case.
As the investigation unfolded, it became evident that Charlie Adelson, Magbanua, and Garcia had conspired to kill Markel. In 2016, Garcia was arrested for first-degree murder, followed by an indictment against both Garcia and Rivera for their roles in Markel's murder. Magbanua was arrested for first-degree murder in October of the same year. Rivera, in an attempt to avoid trial, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a 19-year sentence.
In 2019, Garcia was found guilty of first-degree murder, while a mistrial was declared in Magbanua's case, which was later delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2022, Magbanua was ultimately found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation. Both Garcia and Magbanua are currently serving life sentences.
Finally, after four years, Charlie Adelson was arrested and charged with first-degree murder just before Magbanua's retrial. His murder trial was initially scheduled for February 2023 but was later postponed to October. Jury selection began on Monday, with opening statements expected to be delivered on Thursday. Magbanua, Garcia, and Rivera are anticipated to testify as witnesses in the state's case.
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