Charlie Adelson makes 1st court appearance after murder arrest

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) – The former brother-in-law of slain FSU law professor Dan Markel made a first appearance in court Friday afternoon on charges of murder and conspiracy.

Charlie Adelson appeared remotely in a Zoom hearing with judge Phoebee Francois. Adelson was in a tan jail jumpsuit and handcuffs and made the appearance from an empty white room in Broward County’s main jail, with a COVID mask around his chin.

Judge Francois found probable cause on the charges Adelson faces of murder and conspiracy.

Adelson’s defense attorney, David Oscar Markus, asked about a bond hearing for Adelson. He said he understood Adelson could not get that hearing Friday, and it would have to come after Adelson was brought to Tallahassee to face the charges.

Markus asked how long it would take before Adelson was transported to Leon County. The judge and court staff told him it could happen within a week.

A Leon County grand jury indicted Adelson Wednesday on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation of murder. He was arrested Thursday morning at his home in Broward County.

Leon County prosecutors allege Adelson carried out a murder-for-hire plot to kill Markel because of a child custody battle between Markel and his ex-wife Wendi Adelson, Charlie Adelson’s sister.

CONTINUING COVERAGE:

• Legal analyst reacts to Adelson arrest, enhanced audio of FBI recording
• Extended timeline of key dates in the Dan Markel murder case
• Ex brother-in-law arrested in Dan Markel murder
• Continuing Coverage: Dan Markel Murder Trial
• Mistrial declared in case of Katherine Magbanua
• Sigfredo Garcia found guilty of first-degree murder in Markel trial
• Convicted trigger man gets life sentence in Dan Markel murder
• WCTV legal analyst gives insight on Dan Markel Murder Trial

Copyright 2022 WCTV. All rights reserved.