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The first-degree murder trial of Ferrari-driving Florida dentist Charlie Adelson has been postponed until the fall, The Toronto Sun has learned.
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Adelson is accused of being the mastermind behind the 2014 execution of Toronto-born Florida State University law professor Dan Markle in Tallahassee.
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Dentist Charlie’s original trial date was set for the end of April.
But on Tuesday, a Florida judge delayed the trial after Adelson’s legal eagles argued they were not ready and would still have to sift through hours of audio and video evidence.
Defense attorney Daniel Rushbaum said: “I think we’ll probably be ready by May, but I don’t want to surprise the court, the truth is we just need a little more time.” tallahassee democrat.
Prosecutors opposed the extension, saying legal maneuvers would create scheduling conflicts and cause more pain for Markle’s family in Toronto.
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State Attorney Sarah Duggan said: “We object to the extension and Dan Markle’s family, they do not want to be heard today, but they do want the court to know that they also object to the extension.”
When Dan Markel was murdered in the driveway of his ex-wife Wendi Adelson on July 19, 2014, during a bitter custody battle, the latter and her family were immediately Suspect.
With the guidance of her domineering mother, Donna, she wants to move to South Florida to be closer to her wealthy family. Markle opposed the move.
This set off a series of alleged intrigues that culminated in the revered scholar’s death.
Detectives believe Charlie Adelson’s then-girlfriend, Katherine Magbanua, who worked in his clinic, contributed to the murder. Last year, she was sentenced to life in prison for her role.
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Magbanua brings her baby daddy and his sidekick to the kill. Both are serving life sentences.
Wendi Adelson and her mother, Donna, have been named by prosecutors as co-conspirators but have not been charged so far.
Now, the judge has also granted a motion to keep information and interviews Magbanua gave to detectives confidential after his trial. Charlie Adelson’s legal counsel first filed the order in January to secure the interview.
While they don’t believe the interview will lead to the incrimination of Charlie the dentist, they worry that the media attention could undermine his right to a fair trial.
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“The disclosure of these discovery materials would be big news for this small community. It could infect the entire jury, even those who might be admissible at this point,” said Lyon County Judge Robert Wheeler.
The interviews, notes and other material will not become public record until Adelson is on trial.
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