ABC 20/20 “First Divorced Then Dead” November 10 2023 Recap & Preview

On the morning of July 18, 2014, Dan Markel, a well-loved law professor at Florida State University and a father of two young children, returned home and was confronted by an unidentified attacker who shot him twice in the head at close range. The crime scene did not yield immediate clues about the perpetrators, except for one lead – a vague description from a neighbor who witnessed a speeding Prius leaving Dan’s driveway. Detectives faced a challenging investigation, but with the assistance of the FBI and a series of interviews, they were able to reconstruct the Prius’s movements by analyzing surveillance footage and toll booth records. This ultimately led to the capture of the hired hitmen responsible for Dan’s tragic death. However, a crucial question remained unanswered: Who had orchestrated this murder-for-hire plot?

In a comprehensive report by Matt Gutman, ABC News’ chief national affairs correspondent, “20/20” delves into the details of this case. The program sheds light on how prosecutors relied on newly enhanced audio recordings as the pivotal evidence to charge Charlie Adelson, the brother of Dan’s ex-wife, with the crime.

The two-hour program also features an exclusive interview with June Umchinda, who was Charlie Adelson’s former girlfriend. Additionally, it includes interviews with Dan’s parents, Ruth and Phil Markel, as well as Michael Weinstein, a former family friend. Don’t miss “20/20” on ABC, scheduled to air on Friday, November 10, from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. EST, with the episode becoming available on Hulu the following day.

What Happened to Dan Markel & Wendi Adelson?

Daniel Eric Markel, a Canadian-born lawyer and professor specializing in criminal law and sentencing, with a particular focus on the role of punishment in the criminal justice system, earned his J.D. degree from Harvard in 2001. He became a faculty member at Florida State University in 2005.

Tragically, in 2014, Markel was killed in Tallahassee, Florida, in what seemed to be a murder-for-hire scheme connected to child custody issues arising from his divorce from Wendi Adelson, who was also a law professor at Florida State University at the time. Although Wendi Adelson has not been charged in connection with the murder, she, along with her brother Charlie and mother Donna, has been implicated as “conspirators” in the plot.

Several individuals have been convicted in connection with the case, including Luis Rivera, who admitted to the murder and received a 19-year prison sentence, Sigfredo Garcia, found guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, and Katherine Magbanua, who was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder in her retrial, resulting in a life sentence plus two consecutive 30-year sentences. Charlie Adelson, Wendi Adelson’s brother, was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder and is awaiting sentencing.

Charlie Adelson, a wealthy dentist from Fort Lauderdale, was recently convicted on all charges related to Dan Markel’s murder after evading justice for years. The jury reached a unanimous verdict in just about three hours.

This marked the fourth conviction linked to Markel’s death and the first involving a member of the Adelson family, who had long been suspected of orchestrating the murder. While the case remains under ongoing investigation, it remains uncertain whether anyone else will face charges.

Dan Markel’s parents expressed their relief following the verdict, acknowledging that the lengthy and painful ordeal had taken a toll on their lives. The prosecution argued that Charlie Adelson had orchestrated the murder due to the acrimonious divorce and child custody battle between Wendi Adelson and Markel. The defense presented an extortion theory, but the jury ultimately dismissed it, finding Charlie Adelson guilty on all counts.

The case garnered national attention and involved extensive investigations, wiretaps, recorded conversations, and multiple trials. Despite the verdict, questions persist about the full extent of the Adelson family’s involvement in the murder and continue to be the subject of ongoing scrutiny and investigation.