Thread by @cathyrusson

Afternoon 🧵- After lunch, #DanMarkel's attorney in the custody dispute took the stand. Stephen Webster testified Dan told him in a video call with his sons he heard Donna Adelson off camera refer to Dan to this kids as "stupid" as in "stupid is on the phone". Webster said in general Dan wasn't vindictive and thought this custody dispute would work itself out. Note: Webster did not testify in Garcia/Magbanua or Magbanua retrial.

Next witness is #CharlieAdelson's ex-girlfriend, June Umchinda. Charlie grins as she introduces herself.

#DanMarkel

June told police #CharlieAdelson was "angry and different' "violate, agitated and short-fused" after Magbanua's arrest. She was playing that down a bit on the stand today. Also, several slight smiles between the two in court. Still some feelings? #DanMarkel

June testified #CharlieAdelson kept thousands of dollars/stacks of hundreds that he kept in a safe in the home. He would staple money together in bundles. #DanMarkel

Wendi Adelson briefly called back to the stand. She's wearing the dress she wore yesterday, not the one she wore this morning.

Prosecutor called Wendi back briefly to ask her specifically if she had told anyone that her brother had looked into hiring a hitman and about the "celebration dinner" She denies telling Lacasse either of these things. They needed to bring her back to get past the double hearsay hoping to call Lacasse back and ask him. #DanMarkel #CharlieAdelson

Now recalling Jeffrey Lacasse so he can be asked about the comments of #CharlieAdelson looking into a hitman and the celebration dinner.

Lacasse testifies in front of the jury that Wendi Adelson told him that when the relocation motion in the family court was denied, #CharlieAdelson looked into hiring a hitman to kill #DanMarkel

Next up for the state is Ryan Fitzpatrick, former "very close" friend of #CharlieAdelson.

#DanMarkel

Fitzpatrick says the Adelson family did not speak fondly of #DanMarkel.

Fitzpatrick testified that he didn't hear about #DanMarkel's murder from #CharlieAdelson or anyone else in the Adelson family. He said they never mentioned it. Prosecutor asks if Charlie ever told him that Katherine Magbanua was blackmailing him. He said he never mentioned anything about that.

Fitzpatrick says #CharlieAdelson's demeanor changed in 2016 after Magbanua's arrest. He was anxious, stressed out.

#DanMarkel

NOW: Convicted killer Luis Rivera takes the stand. #DanMarkel #CharlieAdelson

"You're a member of the Latin Kings? And that's a violent gang?"
Rivera: No, we're a family.
Questioning without the jury present.
Luis Rivera took a plea to second-degree murder in exchange for his cooperation. He has testified in the two previous trials.

#CharlesAdelson #DanMarkel

Now jury is present.

Luis Rivera aka "Tato" testifies that he was a part of #DanMarkel's murder. He said his good, childhood friend, Sigfredo Garcia came to him with the info about the 'hit' on Markel. Rivera said his soul motivation was money. He didn't know Dan Markel.

#CharlieAdelson

Rivera says once the job (murder) was done, Katie Magbanua was the one that was to receive the money from "the dentist".

#CharlieAdelson #DanMarkel

Rivera says the reason for the murder was to help a lady named Wendi get her kids back.

#CharlieAdelson #DanMarkel

Rivera said he doesn't know "the dentist", never met him. The "dentist" was the lady's brother. He was Katie's boyfriend and also was the mother of Garcia's children.

#CharlieAdelson #DanMarkel

Rivera said he received $37K for the murder of #DanMarkel. He said a total of $100K was paid and itw as split 3 ways between him, Sigfredo Garcia and Katie Magbanua.

#CharlieAdelson

Picture of Sigfredo Garcia, Katy Magbanua, Rivera's gf and Luis Rivera shown to the jury. Also photo of Garcia with Rivera.

#CharlieAdelson #DanMarkel

Rivera testifies they were first traveled to Tallahassee to kill #DanMarkel in June 2014 (the month prior). They had no plan. They were seeing if an opportunity came up, he would be the shooter and kill Markel. "We really didn't plan nothing' out."
#CharlieAdelson

Rivera said he suggested to Garcia to just got rob Wendi and take the money she was willing to pay for the murder. Garcia told him they can't do that, they just "need to do this job" for Katie.

#CharlieAdelson #DanMarkel

Garcia and Rivera returned for a second time to Tallahassee in July 2014. They rented the green Prius. Rivera said Garcia was playing with the gun while Rivera was driving and the gun went off into the floorboard. It hit the gas line.
#CharlieAdelson #DanMarkel

Garcia got a ride to Auto Zone, bought a new hose and fixed the gas line. #CharlieAdelson #DanMarkel

Rivera said they followed #DanMarkel to the daycare and then to the gym. He said Garcia got information from Magbanua that Markel was leaving town the next day so the hit had to happen that day.

#CharlieAdelson

Rivera testifies they followed #DanMarkel to his house, when Dan pulled in the garage, they pulled in right behind him. "Garcia jumped out and shot him." He shot him twice. He was standing at the driver's side.

#CharlieAdelson

After the murder, Garcia called Katherine Magbanua. Rivera could hear the conversation. He told her everything is done. Garcia asked about the money, Katy said "you'll get it tomorrow". They did get the money the next day.
#CharlesAdelson #DanMarkel

Poor Ruth Markel has to sit in the courtroom, for a 3rd time, and hear Rivera casually tell how he helped murder her son for money.

#DanMarkel

Photos from an ATM showing Rivera and Garcia

#CharlieAdelson #DanMarkel

Rivera said Katherine Magbanua went to his house and dropped his $35K off. All one hundred dollar bills, stapled in bundles of $1K.
Rivera said Garcia gave him $2K out of his cut.
#CharlieAdelson #DanMarkel

Motorcycles bought after the murder of Markel.

#DanMarkel #CharlieAdelson

Cross-examination will begin Monday of Luis Rivera.

#CharlieAdelson #DanMarkel

@UnrollHelper