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Hidden True Crime

Wendi Accused, Donna Exposed.... The Adelson Plot Thickens | Trial Day 3 Recap

Hidden True Crime

Hidden True Crime

True Crime, Society & Culture, News Commentary, Documentary, News

4.81.9K Ratings

🗓️ 27 August 2025

⏱️ 90 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Day 3 of the Donna Adelson trial brought explosive testimony. Wendi’s ex-boyfriend, Jeff LaCasse, told jurors she once said the only way she could move to Miami was “if something happened to Dan.” Katherine Magbanua—already serving life—took the stand, admitting she lied in earlier trials and detailing how Charlie and Donna pulled her into the plot. Prosecutors also rolled out the money trail and digital blueprint tying the Adelsons to Dan Markel’s murder. FULL BACKSTORY- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-true-crime/id1521619380?i=1000670853208 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/2VGAg7V4owkukkAG8SgNFZ?si=8oxZ2529QP28a_gHMTrpvA About Hidden True Crime: What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling. Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hello, everyone. A lot happened today because day three is, what's today and what a day it was.

0:11.8

Today marked. So, you know what, let's just get to it. Day three of the Donna Adelson trial.

0:22.4

And to remind all of you that, you know, some of you are joining, and this is the first trial you've watched,

0:28.6

but this is actually the fourth trial connected to the conspiracy and murder of Donna Adelson's

0:37.1

former son-in-law Dan Markell.

0:39.3

The case has already seen several convictions.

0:42.4

Driver Luis Rivera pleaded guilty back in 2016, while shooter Sigfredo Garcia, middle man,

0:50.5

Catherine Meg Banwa, and Donna's son, Charlie Adelson, have each faced trial and are now

0:57.6

serving time in prison. And now it is Donna's turn, the matriarch of the Adelson family.

1:06.2

And prosecutors argue that she and Charlie helped mastermind and bankroll the entire murder plot,

1:13.8

all to give her daughter, Wendy, who testified yesterday, the freedom to move with her two sons to South Florida.

1:22.5

So the mode of a custody battle, the ability to move with her grandsons.

1:26.3

And a family court judge had denied Wendy's request

1:29.6

to relocate to South Florida. And in the state's telling, Dan was the final obstacle to the life

1:37.3

Donna envisioned for her daughter once her daughter Wendy divorced Dan Markell. And with that backdrop,

1:47.9

let's get into what unfolded on day three. First on the stand was Jeffrey Lacasse, Wendy Adelson's ex-boyfriend who had been

1:55.2

dating her up until about a week before Dan McCraill's murderkell's murder. And Jeff testified, I mean,

2:03.0

this is fascinating, right? The ex-boyfriend coming to testify. And Jeff testified that he has

2:08.9

worked as a professor at Florida State University for the past 12 years. He began seeing Wendy in

2:16.0

late September 2013. And what started as a casual relationship

2:21.7

eventually became serious and exclusive. Their relationship ended around July 14th, 2014.

2:30.4

So can you imagine that too? Your ex testifying at a trial of yours, excuse, I mean, your mother's, I guess you said your ex testifying at your mother's murder trial 10 years after you broke up. But during their time together, Jeff and Wendy's time together, Jeff said that Wendy

...

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