Donna Adelson Trial-State Opens With Shocking Murder-for-Hire Claims Against Matriarch "Mastermind"

Donna Adelson Trial-State Opens With Shocking Murder-for-Hire Claims Against Matriarch "Mastermind" Dive into the opening statement in the Donna Adelson trial where the State paints a chilling portrait: a controlling, relentless matriarch who allegedly conspired to kill her ex–son‑in‑law, Dan Markel. In front of the jury, Assistant State Attorney Sarah Kathryn Dugan didn’t mince words—Donna, she said, was “part of a conspiracy to hire a hitman” in a plot rooted in a bitter custody battle and a longing to relocate her daughter and grandkids to South Florida. Dugan walked jurors through the family's inner workings—from emails revealing Donna’s involvement, to allegations she “hated” Dan, to claims she managed details, payroll, and even payroll arrangements for Katherine Magbanua, the go‑between who connected the Adelsons to the hitmen. She emphasized Donna’s dominance in the family: “She was extremely controlling… she ran the office, the home and the lives of the Adelson family members.” Wiretaps, coded phone calls, and financial records were promised to underscore the prosecution’s theory of motive and execution. If you want the full strategy, emotion, and shadow of motive defined, this is your must-see moment. #DonnaAdelsonTrial #ProsecutionOpening #MurderForHire #MatriarchMastermind #DanMarkelMurder #TrueCrimeCourtroom #CustodyBattle #FloridaTrial #WiretapEvidence #DonnaDidIt 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