In a gripping courtroom revelation Wendi Adelson testified that she did call her ex husband derogatory names including “STD” yet emphatically denied any role in the plot that led to his 2014 execution style murder Her mother Donna Adelson stands accused of orchestrating the hit amid a bitter custody dispute .
In a dramatic turn at a Florida courtroom Wendi Adelson the ex wife of the late Florida State University law professor Dan Markel confessed to calling him derogatory names like “emotional terrorist” “dark lord” and even “STD” Despite her harsh words she strongly denied any involvement in the murder for hire plot that led to Markel’s execution style killing in 2014 .
Wendi’s Courtroom Testimony
During her testimony on August 25 Wendi admitted to referring to Markel with caustic labels but made it clear “I was not involved in any plot to kill Danny” People.com When asked if her mother was angry at Markel before the murder Wendi acknowledged that sentiment and her own frustration as they navigated a bitter custody battle following their 2013 divorce .
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Context of the Murder
Dan Markel was shot twice in the head at point blank range in his Tallahassee garage on July 18 2014 after dropping his two sons at preschool and heading to the gym He later died in the hospital roughly 14 hours later People.com +1 Prosecutors allege the motive stemmed from a fierce custody dispute Wendi wanted to move their children to Miami where her family including her mother Donna resided Markel resisted .
Mother Accused of Orchestrating the Plot
Donna Adelson 75 Wendi’s mother and head of a wealthy Miami family is charged with first degree murder conspiracy and solicitation to commit murder in connection to Markel’s death People.com +1 Prosecutors believe she helped finance the hit which is estimated to have cost over $100000 People.com +1 Arrested in November 2023 Donna and her husband were apprehended at the Miami airport as they attempted to board a one way flight to the non extradition country of Vietnam .
Other Parties in the Case
Donna is the fifth individual charged in connection with the murder Her son Charlie Adelson Wendi’s brother was convicted in 2023 of first degree murder conspiracy and solicitation in connection with the plot People.com +1 Others convicted include Katherine Magbanua Charlie’s girlfriend and the two assassins Latin Kings leader Luis Rivera and Sigfredo Garcia who carried out the killing .
Legal Strategy and Defense Claims
Donna Adelson has pleaded not guilty and her defense counters that there is no direct evidence tying her to the hit They argue the payments for the murder came solely from Charlie not Donna People.com The trial which was set to begin in mid August 2025 continues to unfold .
Custody Battle Backdrop
Wendi and Markel separated in 2012 after Wendi relocated with their sons to her parents South Florida home while he was away on business The 2013 divorce granted them joint custody and a judge ordered that the children remain in Tallahassee People.com +1 Prosecutors argue Donna’s alleged orchestration of the murder arose from her desire to bring Wendi and the children to Miami and Wendi’s efforts to pressure Markel for that move .
Emotional Testimony “STD” Comment
Under questioning about derogatory remarks Wendi read aloud an iMessage she sent on February 26 2013 .
“Danny is an STD One wrong mistake marrying him and this will never go away”
Wendi acknowledged the message but said she “doesn’t ever remember saying that” frequently and never believed she shared it with her mother .
Conclusion
The case underscores the tragic intersection of family conflict legal battles and lethal violence While Wendi Adelson admitted to resentful language aimed at her ex husband she strongly denied any involvement in his murder The ongoing trial of her mother Donna Adelson promises to delve deeper into whether grievances over custody escalated into a fatal conspiracy .