Charlie Adelson to remain in jail until trial

TALLAHASSEE, Fla (WCTV) - A judge ordered Charlie Adelson to remain in jail without bond until his trial on murder charges next year.

Adelson is accused in the 2014 murder of his former brother in law Dan Markel.

Adelson and his defense attorneys argued in court Friday morning that “nothing has changed since 2016.”

Defense attorney Daniel Rashbaum called the evidence purely circumstantial and argued Adelson is not a danger to the community or a flight risk and should be released from jail to await trial.

Circuit Judge Robert Wheeler ruled from the bench after the hour long hearing. Wheeler said Adelson was a “substantial flight risk” and denied his request to be released on bond.

The judge said they may be able to set a trial date at Adelson’s next court hearing in December.

Assistant Attorney General Georgia Cappleman offered a glimpse at the case she’ll present at trial next year, introducing new evidence that has not previously been seen in court.

She played a brief clip showing an undercover recording of Charlie meeting his father, Harvey, at Matsuri sushi restaurant in Miami.

“I was surprised they didn’t come to me,” Harvey is heard saying to Charlie, according to subtitles provided by the State.

“One or the other, but the woman is usually the weaker choice?,” Charlie asks. “You know someone is gonna give in, so it is what it is.”

At the end of the recording played in court, Charlie appears to realize an undercover agent is dining next to them.

“I think there’s a recorder in that bag,” he tells Harvey.

“Are they allowed to do that?,” Harvey asks.

“Not without a warrant,” Charlie says.

Rashbaum also revealed his client is spending his days at the Leon County jail in “protective custody,” likening it to solitary confinement. Rashbaum said Adelson gets 30 minutes outside of his cell per day, and reviewing evidence over the phone has been tedious.

While the judge denied release, he did indicate he’d help Rashbaum and his team gain better access to Adelson in the coming weeks. Adelson’s attorneys were asked to write a motion to get that process started.

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