A Florida grandmother was convicted of orchestrating the 2014 murder-for-hire of her former son-in-law in a bitter custody battle that spiraled into a deadly family conspiracy.
At a Glance
- Donna Adelson, 75, convicted of murder, conspiracy, and solicitation in the death of Daniel Markel
- Jury reached guilty verdict after only three hours of deliberation
- Plot stemmed from custody restrictions that barred Adelson’s daughter from relocating children
- Multiple family members and hired hitmen already convicted in the case
Matriarch’s Conviction and Courtroom Breakdown
Donna Adelson, a wealthy Miami grandmother, was convicted of masterminding the murder of Florida State University law professor Daniel Markel. The verdict capped an eleven-year investigation into a plot that grew out of bitter custody disputes between Markel and his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson.
The jury found Donna guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation, returning its verdict after just three hours. When the decision was announced, the 75-year-old broke down in tears, causing a disruption that forced the judge to intervene. The courtroom scene reflected the unraveling of a matriarch who, prosecutors argued, had prioritized family convenience over lawful resolution.
Watch now: ‘Monster-in-Law’ Donna Adelson Found Guilty in Murder-For-Hire Plot
Plot Rooted in Custody Dispute
The origins of the murder plot trace back to Markel’s divorce from Wendi Adelson. Under court orders, she was barred from moving their two children out of Tallahassee. Donna and her son Charlie Adelson, unwilling to accept the restrictions, turned to a violent solution.
Prosecutors presented evidence showing Donna coordinated with Charlie to recruit Sigfredo Garcia, Katherine Magbanua, and Luis Rivera. The trio carried out the fatal shooting outside Markel’s Tallahassee home on July 18, 2014. Witness testimony, recorded conversations, and financial transfers tied the Adelson family to the hired killers, painting a picture of a family conspiracy driven by resentment over custody rulings.
Failed Flight Sealed the Case
In November 2023, Donna Adelson was arrested at Miami International Airport while attempting to flee to Vietnam. Authorities found her carrying packed luggage and international travel documents. The arrest occurred just days after her son Charlie was convicted, signaling to investigators her acute awareness of mounting legal peril.
Prosecutors argued that her attempted escape undermined claims of innocence, reinforcing evidence of her direct involvement. The move was presented as a calculated effort to evade accountability, ultimately bolstering the case against her.
Long Investigation Ends in Full Accountability
With Donna Adelson’s conviction, prosecutors concluded their pursuit of every key figure in the plot. Garcia, Magbanua, Rivera, and Charlie Adelson had already been convicted, and Donna’s sentencing to life imprisonment closed the remaining chapter of the family-driven conspiracy.
The case underscored the risks that family disputes can spiral into when legal remedies are abandoned. It also reinforced the message that financial resources and social standing cannot insulate perpetrators from justice.
For the family of Daniel Markel, the conclusion of this trial brought long-awaited accountability, marking the end of a saga that had shocked both the legal community and the wider public.
Sources
Dan Markel – Wikipedia
ABA Journal
Florida Politics
ABA Journal