What’s next? State attorney addresses public ‘curiosity and interest’ after Donna Adelson guilty verdict

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - Donna Adelson was led from a Leon County courtroom in shackles Thursday evening, facing a mandatory life sentence for murder and up to 30 years for conspiracy and solicitation.

Now, many are asking what’s next in the decade-long saga following Dan Markel’s 2014 murder at his Betton Hills home. State Attorney Jack Campbell said his office will “make decisions in the coming weeks.”

Donna Adelson’s defense team declined to comment when they left the courtroom Thursday night after the verdict was read, but WCTV obtained a written statement from the team on Friday.

WCTV legal analyst Joe Bodiford said the question everyone is asking now is if Markel’s ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, will be charged next.

“We talk about the web of the conspiracy. How far out is somebody? How much was that person protected? We may not have all the evidence on Wendi,” he said.

Wendi Adelson - who has testified in every trial so far - has not been charged with a crime in this case, but many are wondering if she’ll be the next to face charges.

Wendi Adelson testifies in mother’s murder trial in second day of testimony:

Bodiford says the state will have to weigh many factors, including the immunity attached to her testimony and any additional evidence.

“Is justice going to be served by us doing this? Just from a trial guy standpoint, if you’ve got five and go for six and you don’t get six, you’ve still got five. And that’s a pretty dadgum good record,” he said.

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