Florida Dentist Testifies in Murder-for-Hire Trial: Claims He was Extorted
Nov 07, 2023, 12:00 PM
In a high-profile murder-for-hire trial that has captivated the nation, Florida dentist Charles Adelson took the stand on Friday, testifying that he never explained to authorities that he was a victim of extortion rather than the mastermind behind the 2014 murder of his ex-brother-in-law, Dan Markel. Prosecutors allege that Adelson paid to have Markel killed following a bitter custody battle with Adelson's sister, Wendi. Adelson contends investigators misunderstood the situation, and he remained silent out of fear for his life.
Nine years after the murder of Dan Markel, a prominent Florida State University law professor, Adelson admitted under questioning by his lawyer on Thursday that he paid the killers money after the fact, but he claimed it was because he was under threat. The link between Adelson and the killers was his ex-girlfriend, Katherine Magbanua, who informed Adelson shortly after the murder that her friends were the perpetrators and demanded over $300,000 within 48 hours to spare his life.
Prosecutor Georgia Cappleman attempted to cast doubt on Adelson's story during Friday's testimony. She questioned the circumstances of Adelson's financial transactions with Magbanua, pointing out that he willingly handed over $138,000 in cash without any apparent coercion. Additionally, Cappleman noted that Adelson spent the night with Magbanua after the exchange and continued to give her expensive gifts, put her on his family's dentistry payroll, and provided her with a monthly payment of $3,000 to pass on to the extortionists.
"Do extortionists send a girlfriend of their victim to collect their extortion money? Is that the way it’s done?" Cappleman asked sarcastically.
Cappleman also highlighted the fact that Adelson maintained a sexual relationship with Magbanua months after the murder and expressed his love for her through text messages. Adelson defended his actions, stating that he believed Magbanua was not involved in orchestrating the extortion plot and that she was safeguarding him from the real killers. He described the monthly payments as a form of life insurance that he believed kept him alive.
"I didn’t get killed, I didn’t get robbed. The extortion never went up. She was protecting me," Adelson asserted.
Prosecutors argue that Adelson paid to have Dan Markel murdered, with Magbanua allegedly hiring hitman Sigfredo Garcia, the father of her children, to carry out the act. Garcia, in turn, enlisted the help of his childhood friend, Luis Rivera. Both Magbanua and Garcia were convicted of first-degree murder, while Rivera is serving a 19-year sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for testifying against Garcia and Magbanua.
Charles Adelson currently faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation of murder. The trial has centered around the contentious custody battle between Markel and Wendi Adelson, Charles Adelson's sister. Markel and Wendi Adelson were divorced and shared custody of their children. A judge had ruled against Wendi Adelson's wish to relocate with the children to South Florida, leading to tensions.
During his testimony, Adelson revealed that his family had offered Markel $1 million to move to South Florida, with Adelson himself offering to pay one-third of the cost. He disclosed these details to Magbanua, who later informed Garcia. Adelson insisted that he believed Garcia and Rivera acted independently and that Magbanua was innocent, even after her arrest in 2016. It was only during her trial three years later that Adelson realized her involvement in the plot.
The trial has drawn significant attention due to its complex web of relationships and the tragic circumstances surrounding the murder of Dan Markel, a respected law professor and scholar.
Nine years after the murder of Dan Markel, a prominent Florida State University law professor, Adelson admitted under questioning by his lawyer on Thursday that he paid the killers money after the fact, but he claimed it was because he was under threat. The link between Adelson and the killers was his ex-girlfriend, Katherine Magbanua, who informed Adelson shortly after the murder that her friends were the perpetrators and demanded over $300,000 within 48 hours to spare his life.
Prosecutor Georgia Cappleman attempted to cast doubt on Adelson's story during Friday's testimony. She questioned the circumstances of Adelson's financial transactions with Magbanua, pointing out that he willingly handed over $138,000 in cash without any apparent coercion. Additionally, Cappleman noted that Adelson spent the night with Magbanua after the exchange and continued to give her expensive gifts, put her on his family's dentistry payroll, and provided her with a monthly payment of $3,000 to pass on to the extortionists.
"Do extortionists send a girlfriend of their victim to collect their extortion money? Is that the way it’s done?" Cappleman asked sarcastically.
Cappleman also highlighted the fact that Adelson maintained a sexual relationship with Magbanua months after the murder and expressed his love for her through text messages. Adelson defended his actions, stating that he believed Magbanua was not involved in orchestrating the extortion plot and that she was safeguarding him from the real killers. He described the monthly payments as a form of life insurance that he believed kept him alive.
"I didn’t get killed, I didn’t get robbed. The extortion never went up. She was protecting me," Adelson asserted.
Prosecutors argue that Adelson paid to have Dan Markel murdered, with Magbanua allegedly hiring hitman Sigfredo Garcia, the father of her children, to carry out the act. Garcia, in turn, enlisted the help of his childhood friend, Luis Rivera. Both Magbanua and Garcia were convicted of first-degree murder, while Rivera is serving a 19-year sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for testifying against Garcia and Magbanua.
Charles Adelson currently faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation of murder. The trial has centered around the contentious custody battle between Markel and Wendi Adelson, Charles Adelson's sister. Markel and Wendi Adelson were divorced and shared custody of their children. A judge had ruled against Wendi Adelson's wish to relocate with the children to South Florida, leading to tensions.
During his testimony, Adelson revealed that his family had offered Markel $1 million to move to South Florida, with Adelson himself offering to pay one-third of the cost. He disclosed these details to Magbanua, who later informed Garcia. Adelson insisted that he believed Garcia and Rivera acted independently and that Magbanua was innocent, even after her arrest in 2016. It was only during her trial three years later that Adelson realized her involvement in the plot.
The trial has drawn significant attention due to its complex web of relationships and the tragic circumstances surrounding the murder of Dan Markel, a respected law professor and scholar.
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The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com