Dateline NBC: “What's next for the Adelsons? A family murder plot in Utah. Plus, should defendants testify?”

Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Andrea Canning, with field producers Rocio Zamora, Brad Davis, Brittany Morris, and legal analyst Misty Maris

Episode Overview

This week's Dateline NBC delivers a double dose of real-life crime drama. The first half focuses on dramatic legal developments in two high-profile family murder cases: the conclusion of Donna Adelson’s trial in Florida, and a plea deal in the Utah family murder plot involving Catherine Rastelli. The episode also features a segment on the mysterious Burning Man homicide and the bizarre case of a Wisconsin man who faked his own death. To close, trial attorney Misty Maris breaks down one of the most vexing questions in criminal defense: should a defendant testify?

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Florida’s Adelson Family Murder-for-Hire Case

(Start: 02:20)

Recap & Verdict Announcement

• Donna Adelson, accused of orchestrating a hit on her former son-in-law, Dan Markel, is convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation after a nine-day trial.
• The conviction marks Donna as the fifth person found guilty in the murder-for-hire plot and the second Adelson family member to be sentenced (her son Charlie Adelson was convicted in 2023).

Key Courtroom Moments

• Verdict delivered swiftly after three hours of jury deliberation.
• Donna Adelson visibly emotional after the verdict, to the point of being admonished by the judge:

  “Mrs. Adelson, control yourself." (Brad Davis relaying Judge Everett's words, 05:23)

• Prosecution, led by Georgia Kaplan, argued the murder was to gain custody of grandchildren:

  “Despite their efforts to insulate themselves and distance themselves… they made enough mistakes to get themselves caught… today is Donna Adelson's turn.” (Georgia Kaplan, 04:07)

Defense Strategy

• Defense insisted the custody battle wasn’t “bitter,” and Donna was “a meddler, not a murderer.”
• Jackie Fulford (defense):

  “There’s not a single piece of evidence that connects my client to that murder. Not a single piece of evidence…” (Andrea Canning relaying, 05:01)

The Possibility of Additional Charges: Focus on Wendy Adelson

• Prosecution suggested suspicious behavior by Donna’s daughter, Wendy, on the morning of the murder:

  “She would have been able to clearly see the police activity… yet she abruptly turns around and leaves. She does not make contact… She does not call Dan Markel… She does not call the daycare…” (Georgia Kaplan, 06:27)

• Wendy testified under “use immunity” (statements on the stand can’t be used against her, but she remains open to charges if further evidence emerges).

Prosecutorial Tease & Ongoing Investigation

• At the press conference, prosecutors coyly decline to discuss Wendy as a target:

  Q: “Does Wendy have reason to be worried tonight?” (Brad Davis, 07:45) A: “No w questions.” (Georgia Kaplan, 07:48) Brad: “Should we say stay tuned?”
  Kaplan: “I mean, you can stay tuned.” (07:55)

Victim Impact

• Ruth Markel, Dan’s mother, gives a powerful statement:

  “At its core, this was a murder of convenience. So that one grandmother could live closer to her grandchildren. She killed their father and ripped the children from the other grandparents' lives.” (Georgia Kaplan reading, 08:34)

• Sentence: life in prison for Donna Adelson (automatic for first degree murder). Donna is 75 years old.

2. Utah Family Murder Plot: The Rastelli Case

(Start: 11:39)

Background

• Matthew Rastelli, 34, shot and killed at his mother-in-law’s house in Utah, July 2024.
• Initial claim: Matthew was armed, killed in self-defense by his brother-in-law Kevin Ellis.
• Within days, story unravels, triple murder conspiracy charges filed: wife Catherine, mother-in-law Tracey Grist, and Kevin Ellis.

Key Evidence and Motive

• Catherine and Matthew: rocky marriage. Catherine secretly contacted a divorce attorney, took children to Utah without Matthew’s knowledge.
• Police found recordings of Catherine acting lovingly toward Matthew and encouraging him to pick up the family in Utah—setting him up.
• Victim lured:

  “She told him she was ready, packed, gave him the gate code… told him the door’s unlocked… Just come on in.” (Rocio Zamora, 13:50)

Crime Scene Details & Doubts

• Matthew shot three times in the back, once in the front, once in the hand.
• The “self-defense” scenario collapses:

  “Matt was face down. He was left handed. He had the knife in his right hand… The blade was not facing where you would think if he was pointing it at somebody—it was facing his own body… the gunshot was to his wrist…” (Rocio Zamora, 14:52)

• The knife believed to be planted. Subscription records tie the tactical knife to Tracey.

Tracey’s Suspicious Searches

• Tracey Grist searched for Dateline episodes—including the Adelson case—while planning the crime.

Plea and Sentencing

• Catherine changes her plea, implicates her mother and brother.
• Powerful victim statements from Matthew’s family:

  “You have betrayed Matt, me, my family, and most of all, your children.” (Brad Davis, quoting Diane Rastelli, 16:35)
  “She destroyed her children’s future.” (Brad Davis, quoting Mark Rastelli, 16:43)

• Catherine, at sentencing:

  “I'm so very deeply sorry for the pain I've caused… My apology will never be enough.” (Brad Davis as Catherine, 16:54)

• The judge imposes maximum sentences and a protective order:

  “Your children are victims of your actions. They deserve to grow up without you in their lives.” (Brad Davis, quoting the judge, 17:49)

• Catherine to serve up to 15 years each on murder and conspiracy, plus 5 to life for firearm use; parole board to determine actual duration.

What’s Next

• Kevin Ellis’ trial scheduled for January; Tracey Grist’s to follow. Catherine expected to testify against them.

3. Dateline Roundup: Burning Man Homicide & Wisconsin Kayaker

(Start: 20:59)

Burning Man Homicide

• Victim: Vadim Kruglov, 37, found dead with a neck wound at the Burning Man festival (Black Rock Desert, Nevada).
• Kruglov remembered as “a true hero of Burning Man” by friends, who are assisting police with timeline reconstruction.
• Family, both U.S. and Russian, going public to demand “consequences” for the perpetrator (Brittany Morris, 22:42).

The Wisconsin Kayaker Fake Death Case

• Ryan Borgwardt faked his own drowning to flee to Eastern Europe for an online romance.
• Police interviews show depth of planning:

  “The amount of hours that I spent in trying to disappear would blow your mind.” (Brad Davis as Borgwardt, 23:42)

• Upon return, Borgwardt says that if his story became a movie, the proceeds should go to repay rescue costs.

4. Should Defendants Testify? Legal Analysis With Misty Maris

(Start: 24:22)

The Dilemma

• The decision to testify is among the toughest in a trial.
• Donna Adelson declined to testify and was convicted.
• In a similar case, Karina Cooper testified but was still convicted.

Legal Strategy Insights

• Attorney Misty Maris explains:

  “Whether or not there’s the belief that the client is guilty or innocent isn’t really the factor… you’re focused on the strategy of risk versus reward… It is always a last minute call… are there open holes that you really need to fill in… is there any other way to do it other than the testimony of the defendant?” (Misty Maris, 26:28)

• Dangers on cross-examination:

  “Prosecutors are generally going to really attack credibility… catch inconsistencies… and now credibility becomes the primary focus.” (Misty Maris, 27:07)

• Self-defense cases often require defendant testimony to establish imminent fear.

Jury Unpredictability

• Maris:

  “Anytime you get a jury trial, anything can happen.” (28:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Mrs. Adelson, control yourself.” — Judge Everett (as relayed by Brad Davis, 05:23)
• “No w questions.” — Prosecutor Georgia Kaplan, pressed about Wendy Adelson (07:48)
• “She killed their father and ripped the children from the other grandparents' lives.” — Ruth Markel (08:34)
• “She told him… the door’s unlocked, you don’t even have to knock. Just come on in.” — Rocio Zamora on Catharine’s setup of Matthew (13:50)
• “Your children are victims of your actions… They deserve to grow up without you in their lives.” — Judge at Catherine’s sentencing (17:49)
• “The amount of hours that I spent in trying to disappear would blow your mind.” – Ryan Borgwardt (23:42)
• “You advise as far as the good, the bad, and the ugly… but ultimately it’s up to them.” – Misty Maris, on the decision to testify (25:52)

Timestamps of Major Segments

• Florida Adelson case verdict coverage: 02:20–09:44
• Utah Restelli family murder plot: 11:39–18:57
• Dateline Roundup: Burning Man, Wisconsin Kayaker: 20:59–24:22
• Should Defendants Testify? Legal Panel: 24:22–28:54

Recap & Closing

Offering gripping updates from inside America's most twisted family dramas and the inside view of the criminal justice system, this episode keeps listeners on the edge of their seats. The show’s interviews, courtroom moments, and expert analysis make for an immersive true-crime experience. As both the Adelson and Rastelli stories develop, Dateline’s team promises more coverage, putting a spotlight on the pursuit of justice and the agonizing decisions within high-stakes trials.