The Alternate: Inside America's Biggest Trials

Returning from CrimeCon, she shares how news broke mid-flight: Donna was found guilty on all counts. Margot reviews the prosecution’s “death by a thousand cuts” narrative, highlighting motive, money, and connections, contrasted with the defense’s claim of speculation and reasonable doubt. After just three hours, jurors delivered a guilty verdict. Emotional victim impact statements from Dan Markel’...

Day 8 of the Donna Adelson trial closed out the defense’s case with unusual twists and tense testimony. A possible jailhouse witness was floated but never called, leaving unanswered questions. Wendy Adelson’s divorce attorney, Kristen Addison, testified that the divorce was not contentious, though details suggested otherwise. Expert witness Linda Bailey echoed this but faced backlash for watching...

On Day 7, key witnesses take the stand, including Ann Cunningham, Donna's best friend, who shares insights into their close-knit relationship and the events surrounding Dan Markell's tragic death. Ron Gutterson, Ann's partner, provides testimony on the Adelsons' family dynamics, while digital forensic expert Kelsey Guay challenges the prosecution's evidence with her analysis of phone records. We a...

Day 6 of the Donna Adelson trial brought more wiretap revelations and tense courtroom moments. Special Agent Patrick Sanford wrapped up his testimony after days of difficult-to-hear recordings, capturing Donna’s fears and escape plans to Vietnam via Dubai. Evidence revealed her refusal to surrender her phone, filled with incriminating WhatsApp messages and meticulous planner notes about fleeing, f...

It’s Day 5 of the Donna Adelson trial, and Agent Sanford returned to the stand as the jury endured hours of difficult wiretap audio. Prosecutors presented transcripts from key conversations, including Charlie Adelson’s lengthy rants with Katie MagBanua about the “bump,” coded messages, and speculation about law enforcement surveillance. Donna and Charlie’s phone calls revealed paranoia, contradict...

Day four of the Donna Adelson trial focused on testimony from Sergeant Christopher Corbitt, who detailed phone records linking the Adelson family. The prosecution showed a consistent call sequence between Donna, Charlie Adelson, Katherine Magbanua, and hitman Sigfredo Garcia, highlighting Donna’s role as mastermind. Evidence included suspicious car rentals, a botched alibi involving a “TV repair,”...

Day 3 of the Donna Adelson trial brought the Adelson exes out of the woodwork - Jeffrey Lacasse testified - he dated Wendi and June testified and she dated Charlie.  We also heard from a financial investigator and a cell phone expert. But the most explosive testimony came from one of the coconspirators - Katie Magbanua.  ---- Join our Jury Pool & Get Exclusive Content & Perks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http...

Day 2 of the Donna Adelson trial brought explosive testimony from her children Wendy Adelson and Dr. Robert Adelson. Investigators presented emails showing Donna’s heavy involvement in Wendy’s divorce from Dan Markel, underscoring her hostility toward him. Wendy, granted immunity, portrayed herself as forgetful under questioning but admitted her family closely tracked Dan’s life, including his tra...

On day one of the Donna Adelson trial, Assistant State Attorney Sarah Kathryn Dugan delivered the prosecution’s powerful opening, alleging the 75-year-old matriarch orchestrated the 2014 murder of law professor Dan Markel amid a bitter custody dispute. Evidence includes emails, wiretaps, and coded communications. The defense, led by Jackie Fulford, emphasized there’s no direct proof linking Donna...

In this special prelude to Season 4 of The Alternate, Tab and Margot set the stage for the highly anticipated trial of Florida vs. Donna Adelson. Before day one begins, we revisit the chilling case of Dan Markel’s murder and explain how it connects directly to Donna Adelson now standing trial. Originally told on Housewives of True Crime, this story sparked the collaboration that brings us here tod...

In this special prelude to Season 4 of The Alternate, Tab and Margot set the stage for the highly anticipated trial of Florida vs. Donna Adelson. Before day one begins, we revisit the chilling case of Dan Markel’s murder and explain how it connects directly to Donna Adelson now standing trial. Originally told on Housewives of True Crime, this story sparked the collaboration that brings us here tod...

A jury found former Navy JAG Nicholas Kassotis guilty on all 12 charges - including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, concealment of death, possession of a weapon during a felony, removal of body parts, and tampering with evidence - all unanimously. Immediately following the verdict, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus an additional 25 years. Mourning family mem...

On day 7 of Georgia vs. Nicholas Kasotis, the defendant—also known as Nicholas Stark—took the stand, recounting his military and legal career, failed first marriage, and whirlwind romance with second wife Mindy. He described alleged FBI involvement by “Jim McIntyre,” frequent moves, and financial support later revealed to come from a friend’s credit card. Nick detailed Mindy’s illness, miscarriage...

Nicholas Kassotis’s first wife, Heather Thomas, testified they’d been married six years, separated without children due to her fertility issues, and that he never paid the $1.5 million divorce judgment—she denied infidelity despite his beliefs. Mindi’s matron of honor, Angela Wynn, said Kassotis called claiming Mindi died of a stroke, but no funeral was held, and when queried about a baby, he clai...

On Day 5 of the Nicholas Kassotis trial, jurors saw a video of his second police interview, where detectives accused him of lying about an FBI handler and his wife Mindi’s supposed stroke. He denied harming her and offered to take a polygraph. A GBI toolmarks expert testified the knife found near Mindi’s torso wasn’t used for dismemberment, but markings suggested a power tool. An FBI analyst said...

Day four of the Nicholas Kassotis trial featured forensic entomologist Dr. Edward Mondor, who estimated Mindi Kassotis died between Nov. 27–30, 2022, contradicting the Dec. 1 hospital-death claim. Friend Morgan Paddock described Mindi’s paranoia, use of encrypted Signal chats, and months-long silence before learning of her death and alerting the GBI. Third wife Samantha Kolesnik testified about me...

Betsy Mebane (Mindi Mebane Kassotis’ mother) and her husband Frank Mebane III said Mindi and Kassotis frequently moved and lived in fear. Betsy wept when Nicholas Kassotis phoned to say Mindi had suffered a stroke and was “not coming home.” She and Frank believed him and later received emails claiming Kassotis had died in an accident. Prosecutors noted Kassotis had bought a Milwaukee knife matchin...

Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Keith Lehman described Mindi Kassotis's brutal injuries - nine head lacerations, skull fracture, chest and abdominal trauma, and signs of defensive wounds. The body was nearly drained of blood, leaving only liver tissue for toxicology, which revealed non-lethal levels of Benadryl. A forensic artist helped confirm the victim’s identity through facial sketches, supported b...

Step inside the courtroom as we break down the pivotal moments in the trial of Georgia vs. Nicholas Kassotis. From opening statements to key witness testimonies, this episode unpacks the legal strategies, emotional turns, and the broader impact of this high-profile case... ---- Join our Jury Pool & Get Exclusive Content & Perks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheAlternate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👩🏽‍⚖️👩🏼‍⚖️Follow Y...

In today’s episode, Margot unpacks the powerful victim impact statements delivered by the surviving roommates of the Idaho student murders. Bryan Kohberger, who was convicted of killing four Idaho college students in 2022, now faces the raw emotions of those left behind. Margot shares haunting statements from the surviving roommates and the victims’ families, capturing moments of profound grief, d...

Join Margot today as she delve into the courtroom drama surrounding Bryan Kohberger's guilty plea in the quadruple murder case of Idaho college students. Discover the intense atmosphere, the legal maneuvers, and the emotional impact on the victims' families. We explore the plea agreement, the prosecution's case, and the unexpected twists that led to this pivotal moment... Learn more about your ad...

In this gripping episode, we delve into the long-awaited trial of Brooks Hauke and Joseph Lawson, accused in the disappearance and murder of Crystal Rogers. A mother of five, Crystal vanished in 2015, leaving a community haunted by her absence. Now, a decade later, justice is finally within reach. Join us as we explore the intricate web of family ties, chilling secrets, and relentless pursuit of t...

In this gripping episode, we delve into the long-awaited trial of Brooks Hauke and Joseph Lawson, accused in the disappearance and murder of Crystal Rogers. A mother of five, Crystal vanished in 2015, leaving a community haunted by her absence. Now, a decade later, justice is finally within reach. Join us as we explore the intricate web of family ties, chilling secrets, and relentless pursuit of t...

In this episode of The Alternate, we dive into the Preppy Party Murder Trial of Raul “Lido” Valet, accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Jimmy McGrath at a chaotic high school party in Shelton, Connecticut. The episode examines key witness testimonies, legal arguments from both sides, and the devastating impact on the community and victim’s family.... Join our Jury Pool & Get Exclusive Content &...

On today’s episode of The Alternate, Tabitha breaks down the dramatic split verdict in the Sean "Diddy" Combs civil trial. The jury found Diddy liable on several counts, while clearing him on others - creating a whirlwind of public reaction and legal speculation. We unpack what this mixed outcome really means, the key moments from the trial that led to this result, and what could come next for the...