Defense Opening Statement, FL v. Charlie Adelson | Dentist Mastermind Murder Trial

[@CourtTV]

MORE HERE: www.courttv.com/tag/charlie-adelson/?

[@Rob22511]

Well this defense lawyer just convinced me he is guilty as charged

[@MaTTheWish]

Me too! Very weak defense.

[@ENFPerspectives]

Filed in the missing pieces of the puzzle.

[@edwardwrong3173]

Exactly

[@jjll1552]

How many times does he just say puzzle pieces? What about them? He sounds like he has a vocal tic, not a defence..

[@KusminAmarsingh]

Defense should have deferred and not make an opening. WTH was he thinking!?

[@amandachrist387]

Just the fact they admit they would pay a man a million dollars to keep his kids away from him, are clearly people who would hire a hit man.

[@GerinPhils]

Yes 100%

[@RyanJansen-mf7wu]

I'd at least like to say anyways... thatyou couldn't go as far as saying "clearly" (as an indication of murderous intent) being that you'd seemingly have to associate something direct as far as having harmful intentions is concerned. However, something of suspicion applying, would certainly be understandable.

[@Jladysussexx794]

They were paying him to move to Miami to be near the kids. Not true. This guy was set ip. Latin kings are originally from Chicago. They are well established and have been around since the 50’s. They are organized. Dude was set up and targeted. As he was flashing money around.

[@JAJJABLOG]

@@Jladysussexx794 just wanted to clarify.. are you saying that Dan Markel was set up by the Latin Kings?

[@Jladysussexx794]

No that means they’re trying to work out. They never verbally or physically threaten him. The worst thing said was jibbers. And he apparently did not about that.

[@Trevlee74]

Guilty AF. The whole family should be on trial. The defense they are attempting to use is pathetic.

[@Mammaj1963]

What else could they of used, nothing. I’m surprised they came up with this crock that no jury in there right mind will believe 😊

[@RyanJansen-mf7wu]

I still haven't come across any evidence implicating at least Wendi.. as something of quite distinctly or downright suspicious. She also sremingly sounds impressive on the stand in establishing the concept of her innocence. I wouldn't be surprised if she up to even strongly suspected her brother..., as she even chose to let his "bad joke" become known and al the while... took advantage of the situation by obtaining full rights to her children (even changing their last name), but all that can still be achieved as a bystander.

[@Richard.Hybels]

“The dog ate my homework” is more believable.

[@user-zp9br7jk9k]

yes... but puzzle pieces............

[@Tee1312Jay]

Really!😂😂

[@ronaldmayle1823]

The defense should have started their opening remarks with, "Once upon a time."

[@deboramarcotte4203]

This comment really made me smile. So funny!!!

[@ronaldmayle1823]

@@deboramarcotte4203 Thank you.

[@Tee1312Jay]

True! 😂😂😂

[@tinawindham6958]

He can’t look the jurors in the eyes… The fact poor poor wendi didn’t have the cash to buy herself a tv just breaks my heart. Makes me want to start a gofundme…

[@peppercat8718]

LOL

[@stellabella5269]

Exactly!

[@gabivermudez5075]

With so much $$ she has she couldn't afford a TV.. So her brother goes by her a broke down Tv So Wendy goes ahead & remember let me fix this broke down Tv my brother gave me as a gift meanwhile my ex husband get murdered

[@sflo4538]

😂😂😂

[@aaronmatheson9730]

I am sure Wendi has a t-shirt that said I came to see a hit but all I got was a stupid T.V !!

[@mitchrc3]

If the tapes prove Charlie’s innocence then why did Rashbaum file a motion to suppress the tapes. Liar.

[@kimberlythomas1286]

The whole Adelson family has blood on their hands. Charlie, Donna and Wendi are GUILTY.

[@franceshaypenny8481]

They're all such scum bags that it's difficult to fathom.

[@desertlumi1420]

So far we got 2 out of 3. God is great. God watched what happened in dan markel’s garage. Now i hope we get the 3rd one ,Wendi. Also Harvey. He is in it too

[@TheSuperKaragoz]

I don’t think Wendi is guilty because there’s not a single piece of evidence against her. Wendi is annoying but I don’t think she’s got anything to with the murder.

[@kimberlythomas1286]

@@TheSuperKaragoz no evidence against Wendi?? She drove to the crime scene.

[@Sara_0137]

Harvey too. It was his birthday gift 🎁 🤮

[@vida2515]

Charlie is going down 😂

[@marcanthonyrodriguez3636]

Soooo the talk of a hit man was all a joke? I’ve never joked about a hit man. I know of no one else that has either. Where is the punchline? 🤔😒🙄🤨

[@sflo4538]

Right? Obviously there's truth in every joke, as the saying goes...

[@ENFPerspectives]

Sounds like the family is used to treating/ using/ manipulating people like this.

[@franceshaypenny8481]

Wendi and Donna should be co-defendants.

[@TheSuperKaragoz]

Not Wendi

[@mitchrc3]

Georgia is going to make him eat the words “puzzle pieces”.

[@marcanthonyrodriguez3636]

He’s sellin’ … but I ain’t buyin’ . 😵‍💫👎🏼

[@manuelsoares1825]

Charlie looks worried because not even he believes his lawyer's BS.

[@genamar832]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@almostmadeit3354]

Hit man doesnt have a reason to lie.. thats all i have to say

[@adriennehartner9099]

I think it would be very boring that every time you spoke with your mother it was about your sisters divorce!!!

[@Prancer0210]

Wait until the jurors hear the recordings! Hope this prosecution calls Kathryn to testify. She has nothing else to lose and can tell the truth about Charlie. The mother, Donna should be arrested too, imo.

[@SS11660]

But she has no credibility, she has lied so much. The defense could destroy her with her past lies.

[@glitter7777]

@@SS11660 yeah but when her story this time actually lines up with the conversation on the dolce Vida tapes, and actually lines up with the storyline, it’s gonna be hard to discount her

[@michaelcalland801]

@@SS11660 She was lying because she was facing life in Prison What does she have to gain by lying now ?

[@SS11660]

@michaelcalland801 but defense will say she's lying now to get time off her sentence. They can bring up all her past lies so jury may not believe her.. So it could go either way and be a wash.

[@sonyyoung1036]

The prosecution will only use Katie's testimony if it can be corroborated. They will not rely on just her testimony alone.

[@karenmccann8644]

The defense attorneys story doesn't make any sense, PLEASE!

[@shondacheesecake]

All that money and this is the kind of attorney he hires???

[@Energymc2]

Rashbaum is respectful Prosicution atty. I heard this was his first defense trial.

[@shondacheesecake]

@@Energymc2 ah. makes sense

[@ArtOfExperiencing]

If he says' puzzle pieces' one more time as if the jurors are stupid to understand his defense strategy is unbelievable. Lost Case. Come on... as and acting teacher myself, if this were an opening monologue done in a show by an actor, I would leave the show now or I would watch it and continue to say to the person sitting next to me ‘this is so bad’ and I would get kicked out, finally!!! Ayayaya!!

[@davidschmidt7761]

He doesn’t have all the pieces

[@ArtOfExperiencing]

@@davidschmidt7761 he’s trying to convince the jurors rather than himself being convinced. There is a saying about actors: bad actors try to make the audience believe, great actors believe themselves!!! This gentleman is worse than a great actor would play him!!!

[@sflo4538]

Yes! 😂😂😂

[@Mugwump7]

Thank you, came here for this. “Puzzle pieces” is chappin my hide..

[@deboramarcotte4203]

The "pieces" are cracked!

[@Nowlflr]

6:50 "if the jigsaw piece doesn't fit" - This just proves the defence is grasping and have nothing to defend with. Dude, all the pieces fit!

[@charliebarrow7086]

Charlie looks very worried. I didn't know that Wendi is to be a state witness. His family is hanging Charlie out to dry.....

[@MiMi-js5nw]

That’s exactly I was thinking, did he really say that Wendy was a state witness?

[@Flatbush4Life]

Wendi has been a State Witness in every trial.😊

[@MsChristinaLS]

Wendi is covering her own ass, but her day will come!

[@peachespage2923]

It’s beyond me that instead of Donna sacrificing herself for her beloved son she is prepared to sacrifice him. Donna and Wendi are snakes.

[@sflo4538]

Wendi tries to cover for him and support this new theory a little later in the direct, it's just too unfathomable, as of now

[@miogi0072]

The prosecuting attorney just blew the defense opening out of the water. She detailed the entire case and the defense attorney has to try his best to convince the jury that they have it all wrong and that he is there to set the record straight. Huge Failure. The entire family was involved one way or another.

[@JAJJABLOG]

Charlie has come alive since his attorney started talking.. he’s shaking his head like “that’s right, ☝🏼I might actually get off!” 😒

[@stellabella5269]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Chief-]

Charlie has the expression of a beaten dog. Trying to make people feel sorry for him since he was the victim of a years long extortion plot

[@blessingz]

The beginning was reasonable until he said "Charlie was paying fearing the guys from killing him", Mr lawyer ddnt think hard enough.

[@SS11660]

Why would they kill the golden goose with the money?? Crazy

[@MomentsInTrading]

“This is something I very rarely say in courtrooms- Charlie Adelson is innocent!”…. Of course he rarely says that. In other court cases, he claims that someone else is innocent. Nice word play 😀

[@despinacharalambous1728]

😂

[@freespiritchristina]

That’s not exactlyyyy what he said! Lol!! But it makes him look appreciative of law enforcement, etc. for investigating this… but their “assumptions” are wrong! And his client is innocent. Yepppp!! Lol!!

[@marcanthonyrodriguez3636]

Is it just me or do the craziest cases come out of Florida? 😒🙃🤔🙄🤨

[@DeeDee-il7zk]

No just that they have cameras in the courtroom!

[@lr8763]

Puzzle 🧩🧩pieces all fit together by the defense for the prosecution. Thanks . Charlie trying to look all sheepish and innocent. 😂 The Adelson Institute should be the name of the prison that houses them all.

[@lynnhauenstein4136]

Jeez, looking at Charlie, during opening, his Attorney has him convinced. I'm just glad he is in prison, he had what??, 9 years free...after the murder...

[@amandachrist387]

He looks like, "are they buying this?"

[@MaTTheWish]

The fact that they might have been willing to pay the Man 1 million dollars to allow his children and wife ex-wife to relocate shows their absolute desperation. And if they are that desperate and that idea fails what could be the next option?

[@lynnhauenstein4136]

MattheWish Even the first time I heard this...why didn't they pay million grandparents Adelson to fly up...they are retired...Charlie can prob even afford private plane...after the 1million runs out... Leave Dan alone, to have his kids 50 percent, in Tallahassee...Wendy can run to airport once a week..or leave a car in Airport parking...They have lots of time...retired and weathy... Donna deserves whatever court says, narcissistic witch...

[@MaTTheWish]

@@lynnhauenstein4136 good point!

[@flowerjpotter1629]

​@@lynnhauenstein4136 You make such a good point. Why weren't the family offering the million to get both adults and children down to Florida before the marriage ended ? Because, I think, plans were already made behind Dan's back by his wife and her family, who operate as a self serving pack, to separate him from his children because they were never prepared to share the children with Dan or his family.

[@lynnhauenstein4136]

@flowerjpotter1629 I hear you..but Jewish married, Danny and Wendi, , church wise. Cant be bashed by Donna. Her Hands tied.. Dan wonderful...( yep just reading in by post murder, court docs) The other pick up point...Wendi, hated Dan had higher creds than her, Harvard dude vs What law school? I'd a retired ER Doctor.....my deceased husband way ahead of me..creds. Wendi super Jealous. I was married to .Radiologist with extra creds.. I was super proud of him, had kids. But I picked up

[@lynnhauenstein4136]

@flowerjpotter1629 I picked up Wendi so pleased to announce in court... Danny didn't get the job. At some South Florida University. Never mind, part of deal, uni had to take her on in some job...

[@Chief-]

Katie says a friend shot professor Markel and she didn’t have anything to do with it and if he does not pay, Charlie’s family is next! talk about fanciful fiction.

[@corinadaschievici9002]

Why those thugs would murder Dan if it wasn’t for the defendant and his family!!! He was the one sleeping with his wife,not the victim.

[@arthurdunn622]

OMG this whole case makes sense now! Everything is explained and it is soooo sad that Charlie didn't say this before. Poor Charlie.

[@jbt8922]

He didn’t say anything because he and his mother planned the murder.

[@GerinPhils]

Yes the case makes sense now that Charlie is a convicted murderer...soon Donna and Wendi will be convicted

[@desertlumi1420]

U bought the extortion story? 😂

[@kondawg8247]

@@desertlumi1420sarcastic comment obviously

[@TheSuperKaragoz]

@@GerinPhilsdoesn’t look like Wendi is guilty

[@ln4130]

When he just randomly says “puzzle pieces” 😂😂😂😂

[@BluebellB]

People bashing the defence lawyer for not coming up with a better defence- it’s not the lawyers fault all the evidence clearly proves the defendant is guilty! Most likely he advised his client to plead guilty in return for a reduced sentence (that’s what you’d do in the UK anyway) but Charlie is so arrogant he probably refused and thought he would get off.

[@newyorkgal01]

Lol even Charlie doesn’t believe this story of extortion. Priceless!

[@mariedarnoc7191]

They couldn’t come up with anything better than that? Come on now.. 🙄

[@eatthelego7615]

"Puzzle pieces!" This defense is a joke. This trial is a waste, and this family is evil.

[@FrankHernandez-k8i]

Charlie looks like a dappered Bettle Juice total contrast of the gem he once was. His lawyer the starting of a story and leaving a lot of puzzle pieces but hes guilty along with his family. This joke was told to strangers. Justice for Dan. Abba dont like proud - haighty people. And these leave before the fall and its very obvious the alter ego has gone out. Puzzle pices my ass but his lawyer is good at his job.😅 By the way Councellor - mano to mano means to settle a dispute.

[@designerdiva87]

Can he please stop saying puzzle pieces 😂😂

[@kittycat-hdb]

wow talk about smoke and mirrors. I think i will have to watch it 4 or 5 more times to compare all the lies to the truths in order to understand the complexities of the bullpoop flying around the courtroom. My heart goes out to Dan Markel's Mother, Father and sibling(s). 9 years of memorizing this horror story! We are the lucky audience who get to hear this mumbojumbo.

[@michaelcalland801]

Don’t be surprised if a juror or 2 buys this BS story.

[@ENFPerspectives]

@@michaelcalland801 buys or gets paid off to?

[@KL-fm6od]

Charly is a user and abuser ..now he blaims Katie for everything

[@peachespage2923]

Katie loyal to him and he throws her under the bus.

[@ENFPerspectives]

@@peachespage2923 Na, Katy is not innocent. She did Not have to offer up people to do a hit. Smh.

[@dorissellers6572]

Omg Charlie where did you find this awful lawyer

[@phoenixshade3]

This "puzzle pieces" analogy is idiotic. Every time I hear him say "Puzzle pieces" during his statement, it usually follows facts that fit together perfectly, even in his own version of the telling.

[@careybogdanovic7]

This is a joke defense. Jurors have to be rolling their eyes at such ridiculousness. Katie was an idiot for not rolling on him. And he looks like hell lol Great injustice if the rest of the family doesnt go down as well bc if u think charlie would have done this without his mom pushing him to do so does not know this story.

[@debifox5780]

It is insult’s to integrity and common sense. This is the worst of the worst. But then look at the client

[@desertlumi1420]

After i watched all the trials in this case in my opinion Katie didnt have anything on charlie beside her words against him . As he said it * who are they gonna believe: an oral surgeon or a girl who is half of his age and an immigrant?

[@WriterProfessor]

Rashbaum would have never entered the courtroom with this defense had he been a decent lawyer. He would have told Charlie to take a plea, which I’m sure previous lawyers told him to do.

[@sbuzz5889]

watch judges face when first mention 41:17 wish they showed Georgia's face

[@esmeralda.....]

Oh my gosh 👀

[@franceshaypenny8481]

Defense: Meaningless stuff that doesn't remotely serve to exonerate Charlie whatsoever.

[@despinacharalambous1728]

The defence does not convince.

[@Louise-gg4mf]

He’s kind of full of it.

[@2034916]

And if you were being paid a million plus dollars to defend him, you’d have to come up with a lame defense, too.

[@silviaemenendez746]

Katie was smart and beautiful???? Let’s see how you talk about her when she starts testifying the truth about Charlie!!! And btw June said he didn’t call her to talk while he was driving!!!!! 😅

[@patpat5296]

Rashbaum: " I love jigsaw puzzle "

[@dro2real836]

He is guilty, and Wendy should be on trial with him.

[@SS11660]

Next

[@lindalee2271]

Uhoh! Defense lawyer "I've never said this about client before....." Sure.

[@Tee1312Jay]

His defense theory is cringeworthy. Huge L 😬

[@Jenjenilou]

Hahaha what a crock!

[@tammyconnelly3324]

He sat in jail for over a year? Why??? This is the dumbest defense I have ever heard. 😂

[@Curt-t2r]

How could anyone on that Jury NOT be completely annoyed with this attorney? He loves the long pauses for dramatic effect. However, you're not supposed to do this upon every single half-sentence. As a 25-year sales executive and conference speaker, the pacing is way way over the top. He even says "Let me tell you... I have kept you waiting long enough" then grabs a bottle of water and slowly takes a drink while looking at the camera. Maybe this will make the nightly news, right? It's because he was trying to sell them such an absurd half-baked story... Well, half-baked is an overstatement right? This is absolutely absurd. They tried to overcorrect and come across as a comedy act. Charlie and his lawyer that is.

[@ilikecats3209]

How Donna,Harvey,Wendy and Charlie could hug and kiss Dan kids when they plot to murder there Dad

[@Joedirtt]

Charlies defense should go to jail as well for taking his money 😂

[@rosysky02inphoenix11]

Fact: Katie knows Charlie Fact: Katie knows Zigfredo Fact:Zigfredo killed Dan Fact: Katie and Zigfredo had a lot of cash after the murder Are all these facts just coincidence?

[@Charlesbjtown]

Puzzle pieces!! 😂💀

[@Indiartworks]

This opening was outlright laughable! For an attorney to even get up there to claim that someone as obviously guilty was anything but 1000% guilty, is embarrassing for all defense attorneys. I really thought that, with all the time thay had to come up with a defense, they could have come up with something, no anything, more believable than extortion!

[@amandachrist387]

Well he's dead, so saying that joke is now the 12 Angry Men moment friends

[@westernhemisphere2205]

I can barely hear the audio. Maybe the sound technician should be brought up on charges.

[@Charlesbjtown]

The technician was extorted, into making the audio this bad.

[@gabivermudez5075]

Charlie attorney DONT MAKE NO SENSE... This man guilty... Period...!!

[@adebocook]

This is brutal 😳

[@leltiabrha9269]

He doesn’t want 1 million he wants his kids. Are asking why he didn’t accept?

[@leeluan08]

Money trail = guilty

[@CK21932]

Wendi is a states witness???!! Don’t tell me they are giving her immunity to tell on her brother! Her ass should be sitting right next to him!

[@susiewesley3063]

She wasn’t given full immunity .. she can still be charged though her testimony in this trial cannot be used against her.

[@Finneganbeginagain1]

So, I’m supposed to believe that Katie freely talked about Charlie’s family problems with Sigfredo? Ummm, ok..?!?

[@kimmie1957]

That defense lawyer believes his self😂

[@desertlumi1420]

This lawyer is so unprepared, unorganized and he runs frequently to the judge . He came up with an extortion theory that he had learned about when he was in grade 5

[@Energymc2]

Sounds like no dentist would have Charlie more than 1 or 2 days a month.

[@Energymc2]

How did Sigfredo know Charlies last name to accidentally call Harvey?

[@acc4465]

Charlie is wondering why he paid top dollar for a lawyer this bad. Puzzle pieces?

[@Energymc2]

Why does he need to read from his notes? He sounds insincere.

[@debsea2759]

On one of the taped jail calls, after he was found guilty, Charlie says that Dan didn’t “take offer”. Rashbaum (In opening statements) and Wendi have said he wasn’t given the offer. He can’t keep lies straight.

[@slyphwing]

Thanks to his defense lawyer this trail ended right here for Charlie…and he looks horrible 👀

[@AlexAndra-iy5zu]

There was another case where it was a “joke” as part of the defense strategy. I can’t remember the case. Does anyone else recall?

[@silalily6961]

Isnt the Dalia Dippolito Case?

[@AlexAndra-iy5zu]

@@silalily6961 idk but I will look into it. I just remember there was a case where the attorney referred to jokes, just jokes

[@ShellyWolfe73]

He is on my last nerve saying puzzle pieces. Yes it is a big puzzle in the puzzle pieces he's talking about all fits in the big puzzle that got Charlie convicted and his mom arrested and hopefully soon his sister and dad will be arrested. So yes puzzle pieces

[@paul1349]

He hates the guy so much that he kills the guy that Charlie hates. Just as much Wendy Adelson's husband, that's not going to work.

[@Energymc2]

Dan the lawyer pauses in the middle of each sentence. Very annoying.

[@ChristinaChristina2010]

Has Charlie ever been interviewed by the police?

[@leltiabrha9269]

The children need to go to Dan parents and Charlie, Wendy and their parents to prison.

[@lizsim]

Wow. Finally!

[@louesparza8003]

Rashbaum loves the sound of his own voice. All of his dramatic pauses won't make him believable to the jury. He just demonstrates how full of himself he is.

[@davidschmidt7761]

His puzzle pieces are LIES trying to say Charlie conspired with Garcia

[@patriciachianelli7507]

This judge very good and has a sense of humour and very attentive. Great judge.

[@Energymc2]

Dan the lawyer touches his lips snd nose a lot. I saw him sniff his fingers too. Hes weird.

[@tommeredith7462]

This defense is laughable. A nice money grab especially when Charlie Adelson is guilty. Fun to watch Charlie squirming.

[@tosomt5419]

that's a hard 46

[@TruCrimeQueen]

Oooo my god, this is awful! I guess when you are desperate, any defense will do 🥴

[@artwatch-y9j]

The defense attorney is delusional

[@nasernaas8841]

I wish him to stop saying PUZZLE PIECES

[@stillwaters5671]

This is yawn compared to the State’s opening.

[@JoniSilverthorne]

The puzzle pieces fit like a glove

[@phoenixshade3]

@user-xc2dv9cu6l Bad comparison. The glove thing worked for OJ.

[@dianeaustin2414]

I had to speed this up as he was speaking soooooo slooooow

[@jbt8922]

Now his mom is arrested. Thank god.

[@edwardwrong3173]

Charlie lawyer dig his grave and Charlie got in