😉 This thread will probably be ‘tumbleweed’. But I’d still be interested in any recommendations…
The True Crime documentary genre is not something I often follow. In recent memory, there are only 2 cases that managed to hook and totally reel me in to the very end: the Murdaugh family case and, more recently, the see-it-to-believe-it Adelson family case.
Vam said
Oct 18 1:39 PM, 2025
I’ve been following the Adelson family - from arrests, to trials, to podcast analysis, and right up to the most recent verdict and sentence for the demonic matriarch, Donna Adelson. Like her son, Charlie, she was sentenced to life without parole a couple of weeks ago.
Whenever I hear men complain about their mothers-in-law, I can’t help but laugh. To say Donna Adelson is an obsessive control freak and domineering mother-in-law from hell, barely even scratches the surface! It’s tough not to venture into hyperbole, to adequately describe just how evil this harridan is.
The judge in Donna and her son Charlie’s cases, was a judicial ‘rock star’! He’s become a national hero, along with the incredibly dedicated, laser-focused, uncompromising prosecutor in these cases, Georgia Cappleman.
General synopsis: Very wealthy, well-to-do Miami family:
Patriarch Harvey & his pushy, domineering wife Donna.
Oldest son Rob, a surgeon - and estranged from the family years ago.
Middle son Charlie, a periodontics specialist - and utter slimeball 🤢
Youngest daughter Wendi, a lawyer, who epitomises the saying ‘Jewish Princess’!
Dan Markel, Wendi’s ex-husband. A world class tenured law professor, who was much respected and admired by all who knew him - apart from Wendi and, ESPECIALLY, Donna Adelson!
After the divorce, a bitterly contentious custody battle followed, with Donna becoming obsessively and maniacally involved in every single aspect of her daughter’s life, every step of the way. She was even screening eligible men on dating sites, for Wendi to contact 😂
Donna wanted Wendi and her 2 children to relocate to Miami to live closer to her. Dan stubbornly refused to allow his kids to move so far away, and a judge eventually denied Wendi’s request. Donna went ballistic.
Such was Donna’s visceral loathing and broiling resentment of her son-in-law Dan Markel, that she convinced Mummy’s Boy Charlie to hire a couple of hitmen to stake out, stalk, and eventually kill Dan.
The hitmen and the woman who coordinated the murder (Charlie’s girlfriend) were caught, and all are serving life sentences.
In fairness, if you haven’t been following the case, it’s hard to imagine quite how compelling it has been over the last 3 years.
But if anyone’s interested in the overall gist of it, check out ‘20/20 Adelson’, or ‘Dateline Adelson’ on YouTube, for a couple of documentaries in this case.
Vam said
Oct 18 1:50 PM, 2025
Judge Everett is SO over Donna 😂 “Give her tissues - IF she needs them…” 🤣
Can anyone see a single tear being shed in all those histrionics? 🙄
-- Edited by Vam on Saturday 18th of October 2025 01:51:22 PM
-- Edited by Vam on Saturday 18th of October 2025 01:52:24 PM
Fluffy said
Oct 18 6:19 PM, 2025
The disdainful looking Judge barked "Control yourself!" when she yelped at the terrible unjust verdict !😁 That wasn't a very convincing display on her part.
I actually don't watch true crime often Vam although I know many do. When it's murder or something heinous the fact it's real is just too close to me. The cruelty of human nature in unbelievable. I do recall seeing a case where a man killed a young lady who he had brought back to his hotel room, then the following morning calmly purchased a suitcase big enough to put her in. I couldn't keep watching it but I do know he was recorded all over CCTV and convicted.
Syl said
Oct 18 6:32 PM, 2025
I had a good look...no tears.
I might have a catchup on this, I had never heard of her or them, but it sounds like an interesting case.
Vam said
Oct 18 6:35 PM, 2025
Fluffy wrote:
The disdainful looking Judge barked "Control yourself!" when she yelped at the terrible unjust verdict !😁 That wasn't a very convincing display on her part.
I actually don't watch true crime often Vam although I know many do. When it's murder or something heinous the fact it's real is just too close to me. The cruelty of human nature in unbelievable. I do recall seeing a case where a man killed a young lady who he had brought back to his hotel room, then the following morning calmly purchased a suitcase big enough to put her in. I couldn't keep watching it but I do know he was recorded all over CCTV and convicted.
😂 When Judge Everett speaks, he’s so compelling that I could sit and listen to him all day. And if you’re impressed by him, the magnificent prosecutor in this case is right up there with him, in her own role. She’s a great looking lady, too.
As I said, I’m not into real life murder cases as a rule - especially when they involve graphic blood and gore details. But this case was fascinating, because of the unbelievable levels of scheming that went on between Donna and her spoilt brat daughter, and douchebag Charlie.
Vam said
Oct 18 6:41 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
I had a good look...no tears. I might have a catchup on this, I had never heard of her or them, but it sounds like an interesting case.
Like the Pringles ad says ‘Once you pop, you can’t stop!’ 😂
When you have an hour to spare, it might be worth checking out one of the documentaries I suggested first. That’s kind of how I got reeled in.
Syl said
Oct 18 6:55 PM, 2025
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
I had a good look...no tears. I might have a catchup on this, I had never heard of her or them, but it sounds like an interesting case.
Like the Pringles ad says ‘Once you pop, you can’t stop!’ 😂
When you have an hour to spare, it might be worth checking out one of the documentaries I suggested first. That’s kind of how I got reeled in.
I zoomed in on this....it sounded heartbreaking...and could have been a little bit convincing had there been the glimmer of a tear.
-- Edited by Syl on Saturday 18th of October 2025 07:03:27 PM
Vam said
Oct 19 8:22 AM, 2025
@ Syl - she scrunched up her face and tried her hardest throughout every outburst in court. But nope, she never managed to squeeze out a single tear.
Lots of enraged foot stamping, though…
Syl said
Oct 20 11:44 AM, 2025
Vam wrote:
@ Syl - she scrunched up her face and tried her hardest throughout every outburst in court. But nope, she never managed to squeeze out a single tear.
Lots of enraged foot stamping, though…
I would have been really into watching this ...had I seen it develop.
But now I know the outcome, it's pointless.
I think the last time I watched a TV trial from beginning to end was the Oscar Pistorius trial...that one was rivetting.
Vam said
Oct 20 5:30 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
@ Syl - she scrunched up her face and tried her hardest throughout every outburst in court. But nope, she never managed to squeeze out a single tear.
Lots of enraged foot stamping, though…
I would have been really into watching this ...had I seen it develop.
But now I know the outcome, it's pointless.
I think the last time I watched a TV trial from beginning to end was the Oscar Pistorius trial...that one was rivetting.
I hear you, of course, although it’s a shame you kinda missed out on how compelling it all was.
Okay, I’ve mentioned what a rockstar the judge has been, so I’ll round it off by mentioning the terrific lead prosecutor, Georgia Cappleman. She and her team have so far nailed everyone involved in the murder: the mother, the son, the son’s dodgy girlfriend, and the 2 hitmen - all are serving life without parole.
That only leaves one person…the daughter Wendi, ex-wife of the murder victim. People (including me!) refuse to believe she had zero knowledge of what her mother and brother were plotting, and everyone’s eagerly awaiting her eventual arrest. Georgia’s on the case, and has told reporters ‘Watch this space…’
I‘ll give you a shout if/when Wendi’s arrested, cos I imagine you might want to see that
Syl said
Oct 20 6:29 PM, 2025
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
@ Syl - she scrunched up her face and tried her hardest throughout every outburst in court. But nope, she never managed to squeeze out a single tear.
Lots of enraged foot stamping, though…
I would have been really into watching this ...had I seen it develop.
But now I know the outcome, it's pointless.
I think the last time I watched a TV trial from beginning to end was the Oscar Pistorius trial...that one was rivetting.
I hear you, of course, although it’s a shame you kinda missed out on how compelling it all was.
Okay, I’ve mentioned what a rockstar the judge has been, so I’ll round it off by mentioning the terrific lead prosecutor, Georgia Cappleman. She and her team have so far nailed everyone involved in the murder: the mother, the son, the son’s dodgy girlfriend, and the 2 hitmen - all are serving life without parole.
That only leaves one person…the daughter Wendi, ex-wife of the murder victim. People (including me!) refuse to believe she had zero knowledge of what her mother and brother were plotting, and everyone’s eagerly awaiting her eventual arrest. Georgia’s on the case, and has told reporters ‘Watch this space…’
I‘ll give you a shout if/when Wendi’s arrested, cos I imagine you might want to see that
Definitely.
Anonymous said
Nov 23 7:00 PM, 2025
I highly recommend this if you like true crime
-- Edited by Digger on Tuesday 25th of November 2025 10:34:10 AM
Vam said
Nov 25 8:08 AM, 2025
Jungle Jayne wrote:
I highly recommend this if you like true crime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR1305uR5ps
If it’s really you - hiya.
Sorry, but your link doesn’t work. Can you try again please?
Vam said
Nov 25 4:17 PM, 2025
Oops! Ignore that, Jayne. Diggs fixed it.
I‘ll definitely check that out. Thanks 😊 (& thanks to Diggs too)
Digger said
Nov 25 10:24 PM, 2025
For some bizarre reason I got into the Hoof GP.
-- Edited by Digger on Tuesday 25th of November 2025 10:25:51 PM
Anonymous said
Nov 28 11:05 PM, 2025
Oops, don't know how that happened - thanks for sorting it Digger.
Hi Vam, yes its JJ.
I found the the programme I linked to (Between Black and Blue) jaw dropping and incredibly moving so hope anyone who gives it a go finds it as interesting.
I'll def be checking out the Adelson family documentry. The deaths and corruption linked to the Murdaughs - unbelievable! I've watched so much about them but bet we still don't know the half of what they were involved in.
Vam said
Nov 29 5:49 PM, 2025
@ JJ - I hear you re the Murdaugh case As I said, that was the one case that really did reel me in!
And, for me, the Adelson case is right up there with Murdaugh - in a compelling, can’t-look-away, you’ve gotta be frikking kidding me, way!
You really had to be following it over the last 2 or 3 years. But as a little insight, here‘s the fabulous prosecutor in action, after already having put away the 2 hitmen and Charlie Adelson’s ex-girlfriend. Wide boy Charlie, Mama Adelson’s brat, would soon be locked away for life too. Eventually to be followed by his Mama.
He thinks he’s cleverer than everyone else in the courtroom - with an answer for everything. But Georgia Cappleman ain’t playing! 😂 (skip to around 6minutes in)
-- Edited by Vam on Saturday 29th of November 2025 05:55:21 PM
Anonymous said
Dec 4 2:05 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
@ Syl - she scrunched up her face and tried her hardest throughout every outburst in court. But nope, she never managed to squeeze out a single tear.
Lots of enraged foot stamping, though…
I would have been really into watching this ...had I seen it develop.
But now I know the outcome, it's pointless.
I think the last time I watched a TV trial from beginning to end was the Oscar Pistorius trial...that one was rivetting.
If you like watching live court trials, the Court TV channel on YouTube covers them, and has a whole load of previous ones including the Adelson trial. It's currently showing the trial of Madison Poague. Of course, with each day's feed lasting 8 hours it's a lot to go through, but it's interesting to see it play out including the arguments and tactics used by the prosecution and defence lawyers.
Like you, I don't like knowing how a story ends before I start watching, so I skipped Vam's synopsis and watched the Adelson trial not knowing what the outcome would be. Quite a fascinating watch.
😉 This thread will probably be ‘tumbleweed’. But I’d still be interested in any recommendations…
The True Crime documentary genre is not something I often follow. In recent memory, there are only 2 cases that managed to hook and totally reel me in to the very end: the Murdaugh family case and, more recently, the see-it-to-believe-it Adelson family case.
I’ve been following the Adelson family - from arrests, to trials, to podcast analysis, and right up to the most recent verdict and sentence for the demonic matriarch, Donna Adelson. Like her son, Charlie, she was sentenced to life without parole a couple of weeks ago.
Whenever I hear men complain about their mothers-in-law, I can’t help but laugh. To say Donna Adelson is an obsessive control freak and domineering mother-in-law from hell, barely even scratches the surface! It’s tough not to venture into hyperbole, to adequately describe just how evil this harridan is.
The judge in Donna and her son Charlie’s cases, was a judicial ‘rock star’!
He’s become a national hero, along with the incredibly dedicated, laser-focused, uncompromising prosecutor in these cases, Georgia Cappleman.
General synopsis: Very wealthy, well-to-do Miami family:
Patriarch Harvey & his pushy, domineering wife Donna.
Oldest son Rob, a surgeon - and estranged from the family years ago.
Middle son Charlie, a periodontics specialist - and utter slimeball 🤢
Youngest daughter Wendi, a lawyer, who epitomises the saying ‘Jewish Princess’!
Dan Markel, Wendi’s ex-husband. A world class tenured law professor, who was much respected and admired by all who knew him - apart from Wendi and, ESPECIALLY, Donna Adelson!
After the divorce, a bitterly contentious custody battle followed, with Donna becoming obsessively and maniacally involved in every single aspect of her daughter’s life, every step of the way. She was even screening eligible men on dating sites, for Wendi to contact 😂
Donna wanted Wendi and her 2 children to relocate to Miami to live closer to her. Dan stubbornly refused to allow his kids to move so far away, and a judge eventually denied Wendi’s request. Donna went ballistic.
Such was Donna’s visceral loathing and broiling resentment of her son-in-law Dan Markel, that she convinced Mummy’s Boy Charlie to hire a couple of hitmen to stake out, stalk, and eventually kill Dan.
The hitmen and the woman who coordinated the murder (Charlie’s girlfriend) were caught, and all are serving life sentences.
In fairness, if you haven’t been following the case, it’s hard to imagine quite how compelling it has been over the last 3 years.
But if anyone’s interested in the overall gist of it, check out ‘20/20 Adelson’, or ‘Dateline Adelson’ on YouTube, for a couple of documentaries in this case.
Judge Everett is SO over Donna 😂 “Give her tissues - IF she needs them…” 🤣
Can anyone see a single tear being shed in all those histrionics? 🙄
-- Edited by Vam on Saturday 18th of October 2025 01:51:22 PM
-- Edited by Vam on Saturday 18th of October 2025 01:52:24 PM
The disdainful looking Judge barked "Control yourself!" when she yelped at the terrible unjust verdict !😁 That wasn't a very convincing display on her part.
I actually don't watch true crime often Vam although I know many do. When it's murder or something heinous the fact it's real is just too close to me. The cruelty of human nature in unbelievable. I do recall seeing a case where a man killed a young lady who he had brought back to his hotel room, then the following morning calmly purchased a suitcase big enough to put her in. I couldn't keep watching it but I do know he was recorded all over CCTV and convicted.
I might have a catchup on this, I had never heard of her or them, but it sounds like an interesting case.
😂 When Judge Everett speaks, he’s so compelling that I could sit and listen to him all day. And if you’re impressed by him, the magnificent prosecutor in this case is right up there with him, in her own role. She’s a great looking lady, too.
As I said, I’m not into real life murder cases as a rule - especially when they involve graphic blood and gore details. But this case was fascinating, because of the unbelievable levels of scheming that went on between Donna and her spoilt brat daughter, and douchebag Charlie.
Like the Pringles ad says ‘Once you pop, you can’t stop!’ 😂
When you have an hour to spare, it might be worth checking out one of the documentaries I suggested first. That’s kind of how I got reeled in.
I zoomed in on this....it sounded heartbreaking...and could have been a little bit convincing had there been the glimmer of a tear.
-- Edited by Syl on Saturday 18th of October 2025 07:03:27 PM
Lots of enraged foot stamping, though…
I would have been really into watching this ...had I seen it develop.
But now I know the outcome, it's pointless.
I think the last time I watched a TV trial from beginning to end was the Oscar Pistorius trial...that one was rivetting.
I hear you, of course, although it’s a shame you kinda missed out on how compelling it all was.
Okay, I’ve mentioned what a rockstar the judge has been, so I’ll round it off by mentioning the terrific lead prosecutor, Georgia Cappleman. She and her team have so far nailed everyone involved in the murder: the mother, the son, the son’s dodgy girlfriend, and the 2 hitmen - all are serving life without parole.
That only leaves one person…the daughter Wendi, ex-wife of the murder victim. People (including me!) refuse to believe she had zero knowledge of what her mother and brother were plotting, and everyone’s eagerly awaiting her eventual arrest. Georgia’s on the case, and has told reporters ‘Watch this space…’
I‘ll give you a shout if/when Wendi’s arrested, cos I imagine you might want to see that
Definitely.
I highly recommend this if you like true crime
-- Edited by Digger on Tuesday 25th of November 2025 10:34:10 AM
Sorry, but your link doesn’t work. Can you try again please?
Oops! Ignore that, Jayne. Diggs fixed it.
I‘ll definitely check that out. Thanks 😊 (& thanks to Diggs too)
For some bizarre reason I got into the Hoof GP.
-- Edited by Digger on Tuesday 25th of November 2025 10:25:51 PM
Oops, don't know how that happened - thanks for sorting it Digger.
Hi Vam,
yes its JJ.
I found the the programme I linked to (Between Black and Blue) jaw dropping and incredibly moving so hope anyone who gives it a go finds it as interesting.
I'll def be checking out the Adelson family documentry. The deaths and corruption linked to the Murdaughs - unbelievable! I've watched so much about them but bet we still don't know the half of what they were involved in.
@ JJ - I hear you re the Murdaugh case
As I said, that was the one case that really did reel me in!
And, for me, the Adelson case is right up there with Murdaugh - in a compelling, can’t-look-away, you’ve gotta be frikking kidding me, way!
You really had to be following it over the last 2 or 3 years. But as a little insight, here‘s the fabulous prosecutor in action, after already having put away the 2 hitmen and Charlie Adelson’s ex-girlfriend. Wide boy Charlie, Mama Adelson’s brat, would soon be locked away for life too. Eventually to be followed by his Mama.
He thinks he’s cleverer than everyone else in the courtroom - with an answer for everything. But Georgia Cappleman ain’t playing! 😂 (skip to around 6minutes in)
-- Edited by Vam on Saturday 29th of November 2025 05:55:21 PM
If you like watching live court trials, the Court TV channel on YouTube covers them, and has a whole load of previous ones including the Adelson trial. It's currently showing the trial of Madison Poague. Of course, with each day's feed lasting 8 hours it's a lot to go through, but it's interesting to see it play out including the arguments and tactics used by the prosecution and defence lawyers.
Like you, I don't like knowing how a story ends before I start watching, so I skipped Vam's synopsis and watched the Adelson trial not knowing what the outcome would be. Quite a fascinating watch.
I've been watching this of late.
https://www.youtube.com/@mrnightmare/videos