Donna Adelson’s trial stopped before it started
Conflict of interest concerns derail trial on day one
Donna Adelson’s conspiracy and murder trial never got started. Her lead defense attorney withdrew from the case Tuesday afternoon over conflict of interest concerns and the judge postponed the trial.
“The conflict issues are so severe, I believe, to move forward with the trial ... would place us in a position where we’d end up with a reversal,” Circuit Judge Stephen Everett said. “As to the inconvenience and the delay that this has caused, I am not happy, but at the same time we are trying to get this right so we do not have to do it a second time.”
The problem - Donna Adelson has the same defense attorney at trial, Daniel Rashbaum, as
her son Charlie Adelson did. Charlie Adelson was listed as a state witness in her trial and could have been called to testify.
“Mr. Adelson would assert that his privilege, and the conflict of interest, applies to the entire defense team in Mrs. Adelson’s case, and Mr. Adelson should not be subject to cross-examination by any member of the defense team who has been tainted by Mr. Rashbaum’s knowledge and information,” they argued.
When court reconvened at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Rashbaum told the judge he had no choice but to withdraw from the case.
100 potential jurors were summoned to the Leon County Courthouse Tuesday for questioning in the case, but the judge called a recess to allow Donna Adelson to resolve concerns about a conflict of interest.
www.wctv.tv