Donna Adelson Trial | Forensic Specialist Joanne Maltese Lays Out Crime Scene Evidence
True Crime Today | Daily True Crime News & Interviews
Tony Brueski
4.2 • 612 Ratings
🗓️ 23 August 2025
⏱️ 15 minutes
🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this gripping courtroom segment, Retired Forensic Specialist Joanne Maltese delivers a meticulous breakdown of the crime scene evidence from the day Dan Markel was murdered. With over 15 years of experience in the Tallahassee Police Department, Maltese’s calm, detailed testimony brings the visual facts of the case into sharp focus.
As she walks the jury and camera through the forensic photos, Maltese highlights crucial pieces of evidence: split eyeglass frames, shattered glass, and Markel’s wallet—still containing cash—right where he left it. These subtle yet telling details dismantle any theory that the murder was a robbery gone wrong. Instead, everything points to a targeted, execution‑style attack.
Joanne Maltese gives each image full context: where it was found, how it was collected, and what it signifies. Her descriptions underscore the precision of the crime, reinforcing the prosecution’s narrative that Markel was singled out by a paid hitman—not simply the victim of a random act of violence.
Why this testimony matters is clear. Maltese transforms forensic minutiae into a compelling argument: this was premeditated, not opportunistic. By illustrating that valuables were untouched, she reinforces the motive-centered case charted by prosecutors.
 #DonnaAdelsonTrial #JoanneMalteseTestimony #ForensicEvidence #CrimeScenePhotos #DanMarkelMurder #TrueCrimeCourtroom #RawCourtVideo #ShotNotRobbery #CourtroomEvidence #TallahasseePD
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | A Better Help ad. |
| 0:02.3 | Lewis Capaldi partnered with Better Help to get word out about how important therapy can be. |
| 0:07.6 | I struggle most weeks to get up, get myself up and ready and go to therapy or whatever. |
| 0:13.0 | Even like to open the laptop to talk to, my therapist sometimes could be really difficult. |
| 0:17.4 | But I do it because I realize how important it is for me to continue to feel good. |
| 0:21.8 | Because I felt the best I've felt in a long time through therapy. |
| 0:24.9 | Learn more about online therapy at betterhelp.com. |
| 0:28.7 | A better help ad. |
| 0:30.6 | Lewis Capaldi partnered with Better Help to get word out about how important therapy can be. |
| 0:36.6 | I struggle most weeks to get up, get myself up and ready and go to therapy or whatever. |
| 0:42.2 | Even like to open the laptop to talk to, my therapist sometimes could be really difficult. |
| 0:46.6 | But I do it because I realise how important it is for me to continue to feel good. |
| 0:51.2 | Because I felt the best I've felt in a long time through therapy. |
| 0:54.1 | Learn more about online therapy at betterhelp.com. to feel good because I felt the best I've felt in a long time through therapy. |
| 0:57.9 | Learn more about online therapy at betterhelp.com. |
| 1:02.2 | This is continuing coverage in the trial of Donna Edelson from the Hidden Killers podcast and True Crime Today. |
| 1:06.0 | Now, back to the courtroom. |
| 1:12.0 | He's very your right hand. |
| 1:14.4 | Do you swear or affirm the testimony you're about to give will be the truth? |
| 1:18.4 | Yes, I do. |
| 1:18.9 | You may take your seat. |
| 1:20.7 | Please speak loudly and clearly for the jurors. |
... |
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