Florida woman receives life sentence for orchestrating the murder of her ex-son-in-law.
Donna Adelson, a prominent figure in South Florida, has been sentenced to life in prison for her role in the murder of her ex-son-in-law, Florida State University law professor Daniel Markel. A jury found the 75-year-old guilty last month of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation after a trial that lasted several weeks in Tallahassee. The sentencing includes life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder conviction, along with an additional 30 years for the other charges, to be served consecutively.
In a statement delivered just prior to her sentencing, Adelson maintained her innocence, asserting that she had no involvement in the 2014 murder-for-hire scheme. Markel was fatally shot twice at close range while sitting in his vehicle after dropping his children off at preschool. Adelson stated that had she known of any intentions to harm Markel, she would have intervened. She expressed profound sorrow over the incident while insisting on her innocence.
During the court proceedings, Circuit Judge Stephen Everett interrupted Adelson multiple times, indicating that her remarks reflected an “utter lack of remorse” for the crime. The judge emphasized that the evidence presented during the trial was unequivocal. Markel’s murder occurred in the context of a contentious custody dispute with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, who is also Donna Adelson’s daughter.
Prosecutors presented a compelling case that Adelson, belonging to a wealthy and influential family, had both the motive and means to arrange for Markel’s murder, asserting that she had a deep-seated animosity toward him. Conversely, the defense argued that the prosecution failed to establish a direct connection between Adelson and the murder plot, suggesting the possibility of implicating two of her adult children.
Notably, her son, Charlie Adelson, was convicted of similar charges in 2023. Additionally, Katherine Magbanua, Charlie’s former girlfriend, and the two men hired to execute the murder, Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera, have also been sentenced to prison. Wendi Adelson has publicly denied any connection to the crime and has not faced charges.
This high-profile case has garnered significant media attention, highlighting issues of wealth, privilege, and family dynamics in the pursuit of justice. The implications of these events continue to reverberate through the community and beyond, raising questions about the complexities of familial relations in the context of criminal activity.
Media News Source
