Academia, Criminal law, Society

Florida State Professor Dan Markel Shot At Home [UPDATED]

1405809806000-Dan-MarkelFlorida State law professor and leading blogger legal Dan Markel died on Friday from an apparent gunshot wound at his home. Markel, 41, was a popular professor at Florida State University College of Law and the founder of Prawfsblawg, a popular legal blog. All such deaths without witnesses (called “unattended incidents”) are investigated as possible homicides. UPDATE: The police are saying that Markel was “targeted’ and murdered.

Markel was found dead after a neighbor called police about hearing a “loud bang.” Markel left behind two young sons, ages 3 and 5, and was actively involved in his synagogue, Congregation Shomrei Torah. He was going through a divorce from his wife. He was known to be someone devoted to his children and to his academic work.

There have been a series of burglaries in the area and Markel’s own home was burglarized a few years ago. One blogger has stated that he believes that Markel that was the victim of a violent burglary but later withdrew that statement.

Markel had a brilliant career. He is the author of the book Privilege or Punish: Criminal Justice and the Challenge of Family Ties. He was raised in Toronto and graduated from Harvard College in 1995 and later received his masters from the University of Cambridge before graduating from Harvard Law School in 2001.

It is a terrible loss for family, the Florida State community, and academia. He was a prolific and brilliant academic who left his mark on this Earth with his writings and friendships. I did not know Dan but the testimonials about his life reveal a man with a wide network of friends and fans. He clearly lived his life to the fullest, albeit a life cut short on Friday.

49 thoughts on “Florida State Professor Dan Markel Shot At Home [UPDATED]”

  1. http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/breaking/2014/07/31/tpd-releases-911-call-in-dan-markel-case/13413325/

    “An error by dispatchers contributed to a slower response time to Dan Markel’s Betton Hills home after he was shot July 18.

    An ambulance arrived at Markel’s Trescott Drive home 19 minutes after the 911 call. Tallahassee police were first on the scene 15 minutes after the initial report.

    A redacted version of the 911 call was made available by the Tallahassee Police Department Thursday. The shooting death of Markel, a prominent Florida State law professor, is being investigated as a homicide. Police have not identified any suspects in the case.

    While on the phone, the caller pressed emergency dispatchers to quickly send help.

    “You need to send an ambulance in a hurry,” the caller said at about 11 a.m. that day. “He’s still alive, he’s still moving.”

    Tallahassee-Leon County Consolidated Dispatch Center Director Timothy Lee said the dispatcher that took the call from Markel’s neighbor classified the incident as a priority three instead of a more urgent priority one incident.”

  2. What does the caller know? Did Professor Markel recognize the car and or driver? Did caller hear ….anything (words exchanged …gunfire)? ***Did they call 911 for Dan?*** Do we presume gunman was not wearing gloves? Nonprofessional or (possibly) unplanned shooting? [easier to just open door vs smash window…not to mention the “car was in driveway”…allegedly] Could the neighbor have smashed window (unlock car) trying to help Dan? Sounds planned (for something) …but, not professional (like a “hit” from a contract killing). If a “hit” …very sloppy.

  3. http://abovethelaw.com/2014/07/updates-on-the-investigation-into-the-killing-of-professor-dan-markel/

    “A Florida State University criminal law professor was pulling into his driveway and talking on his cell phone when he was fatally shot, ABC News has learned exclusively…. The killer was waiting for Markel outside his home in Tallahassee’s Betton Hills section, a source told ABC News, and followed Markel into the garage, shooting him in the side of the head through the window of his car. The bullet entered just beneath Markel’s jawline.

    “Markel was alive when cops arrived, with the keys in the ignition of his car, before being pronounced dead at the hospital hours later, police said. Markel was apparently on the phone at the time of the shooting, remarking to the person on the phone that someone was in the driveway, ABC News has learned.”

  4. http://www.wctv.tv/news/bigstories/headlines/BREAKING-Police-Investigate-Shooting-on-Trescott-Dr-267684731.html

    News Release: Tallahassee Police Department
    July 25, 2014 – 1:45pm

    Due to recent updates of specific information involving the death of Mr. Markel, TPD investigators have released portions of the original report in the case. A PDF copy of the document is attached.

    Chief Michael J. DeLeo is asking for the communities continued support as the investigation moves forward. “Our investigators are using all resources available to them and are continuing to explore all of the tips that we have received. I want to personally thank everyone for the tips we have received in this case and ask you to keep the Markel family in your thoughts and prayers” said Chief DeLeo.

    If a community member has any information about this case, please call the dedicated “Tip Line” at (850) 891-4462. You may also choose to report any information to CrimeStoppers at (850) 574-TIPS. All information is confidential and the reward for any information leading to an arrest in this case is $3000.00

    (The article includes other information, as well.)

  7. Thanks for keeping us updated on the case Anonymous. This case is becoming more bizarre. How do the following answers (to these questions) jeopardizes a prosecutor’s case?

    Why not tell us (general public) what part of Prof. Markel was shot? If his body was inside his home or backyard? Specific type of murder weapon? Number of times he was shot? If Prof. Markel carried a similar (or the same) weapon? Year, make, and model of vehicle in the photo? If illegal drugs were found in the home?

    Is the police department fabricating evidence (has tainted the crime scene), knowing that a good defense attorney would have a field day with this?

    It seems like they are trying to cover up something that transpired in Prof. Markel’s home and/or his life?

    The first 48-72 hours is the making or breaking points of solving any murder, before our beloved police department starts to arrest the neighbor’s dog for a murder that was actually a suicide.

  9. Northway said information about a weapon, Markel’s activities on Friday and how many times he may have been shot — a schedule for an autopsy or when it might be completed were also unavailable — constituted intimate details of the crime that couldn’t be released without undermining the investigation.” – from the “Tallahassee Democrat”

    From the previous link (tallahassee dot com):

    “Officer David Northway, TPD spokesman, asked community members Monday to put themselves in the position of Markel’s family.

    “You would want us to take every step that we need to to make sure that we bring this case to justice and not rush and make rash decisions,” he said. “We want to make sure that all of the evidence that we collect and all the people that we interview are thorough and to the very end. That’s what we would ask our neighborhood residents to understand.”

    Investigators seek information on the case, particularly from witnesses in the 2100 block of Trescott Drive between 10 a.m. and noon on Friday. Northway says they want to hear from everyone, including delivery drivers, visitors to the neighborhood and pedestrians.

    TPD asks that people call in to a tip line created specifically for the Markel case. Callers can leave a voicemail with their information.

    The number is 891-4462.

    …

    Northway provided no more information about whether police have a suspect. On Saturday, TPD officials said they had no suspects. Northway also could not say whether a weapon was found at the scene or if there were any indications Markel knew his assailant.

    Northway said information about a weapon, Markel’s activities on Friday and how many times he may have been shot — a schedule for an autopsy or when it might be completed were also unavailable — constituted intimate details of the crime that couldn’t be released without undermining the investigation.”

  11. “Most people do not turn their back on someone they see as a threat.”

    Turn to escape a threat?

  12. Hmmm. How contentious was the divorce? Did he recently flunk a psycho? Has he served as an expert witness, or worked on a major money case? Has he gotten a new psycho girl friend? Or a new girl friend with a psycho boy friend? Those areas are where I would start.

    Squeeky Fromm
    Girl Reporter

  13. Most people do not turn their back on someone they see as a threat. If he opened the door I wonder if he knew the person and did not suspect anything amiss. Just guessing though.

  14. There is no confirmed, police statement stating that Prof. Markel was shot in the back. None.

    According to the Tallahassee Democrat, TPD begins working all deaths without witnesses as if they are a homicide until evidence proves otherwise.

    After Neighbors heard the shot, not only did someone immediately notify the police, but they also didn’t see or hear anyone fleeing the scene.

    Police have no suspect, no witness, and are keeping hush, hush about where the gun shot wound entered and exited Pro. Markel’s body. No mentioning of the specific type of weapon or if Prof. Markel owned a similar weapon.

    You don’t need 3 days to find out all this info, but since they are treating this as a homicide, then they are allowed to keep this info sealed until a certain time.

  16. anonymous, My bad. But, I didn’t realize this was a competition. Is there wagering?

  17. Year not given. From Forbes “America’s Most Dangerous Cities” Tallahassee, Fla.

    Florida’s capital city, Tallahassee, leads the state in crime with 775 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. Its location on Interstate 10 makes it an attractive city for drug runners who bring
    contraband north from Miami and the surrounding area. The Tallahassee Police Department has stressed the need to boost funds to interdict drugs moving north, and a high rate
    of aggravated assaults seems to accompany the drug trafficking, according to Stults. Poverty also plays a role. “At the city level, poverty is one of the strongest predictors of crime rate,
    and there are definitely large pockets of poverty in Tallahassee – like most cities of its size, it is also segregated, and that contributes to higher crime rates in some areas,”.

  18. From the links supplied hours ago:

    “The initial investigation has provided no indication that this case is connected to a burglary or robbery and investigators are assuring residents there is no evidence this was a random act. Neighborhood residents should continue to be vigilant but it appears at this time that Mr. Markel was the intended victim in this incident.”

    http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/BREAKING-Police-Investigate-Shooting-on-Trescott-Dr-267684731.html

    And from JTA, again… hours ago:

    http://www.jta.org/2014/07/21/news-opinion/united-states/florida-state-u-law-professor-dan-markel-dies-after-being-shot-at-home

    Two ears, two eyes and one mouth… for a reason…

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