Donna Adelson Found Guilty – Life Sentence in Dan Markel Murder-for-Hire Case

The long-running saga of the Dan Markel murder-for-hire case reached a dramatic conclusion on September 4, when a jury convicted Donna Adelson, 75, of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation. More than 11 years after Markel, a Florida State University law professor, was gunned down in the garage of his Tallahassee home, prosecutors secured a guilty verdict against the grandmother accused of masterminding the plot.

With the death penalty off the table, Adelson now faces a mandatory life sentence, closing a key chapter in one of Florida’s most closely watched murder trials.

Family Ties and Prior Convictions

Donna Adelson becomes the second member of her family convicted in connection with the crime, following the 2023 conviction of her son, Charlie Adelson. The murder plot, prosecutors argued, was fueled by a bitter custody dispute between Markel and his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, Donna’s daughter.

Why Molly Qerim Is Leaving First Take After Nearly a Decade

In total, five people have now been convicted: the two hired gunmen, the intermediary Katherine Magbanua, Charlie Adelson, and now Donna Adelson.

The Evidence Against Donna Adelson

During closing arguments, Assistant State Attorney Georgia Cappleman laid out the evidence that convinced jurors of Adelson’s guilt.

Who Is Robert Irwin From Dancing With The Stars Season 34? Age, Height, Partner, Career

• Wiretapped calls and emails directly tied her to discussions about the murder plot.
• Recorded conversations from an FBI sting caught Adelson referring to the plan as involving “the two of us.”
• 44 checks signed by Adelson were traced to payments made to Katherine Magbanua, the convicted go-between.
• Investigators found Markel’s car details written in Adelson’s daily planner, evidence prosecutors say was key to helping the killers locate him.
• On the day of Markel’s murder, Adelson was seen dropping off money at Charlie Adelson’s Fort Lauderdale home, funds that were later used to pay the assassins.

“She was paying for a murder,” Cappleman told the court. “She knew it was going to be a murder. She’s the one who wanted it done.”

The Murder That Shocked Florida

Dan Markel’s murder in July 2014 stunned both the academic and legal community. A respected law professor, Markel was ambushed in his garage in Tallahassee’s Betton Hills neighborhood. Investigators quickly suspected a murder-for-hire plot, linking the crime to the custody battle between Markel and his ex-wife.

For years, the Adelson family was under scrutiny, with prosecutors steadily building their case through surveillance, financial records, and testimony from those already convicted. Donna Adelson’s trial marked the culmination of those efforts.

Judge Drops Terrorism Charges Against Luigi Mangione, Murder Trial Still On

What Comes Next

Adelson’s conviction ensures she will spend the rest of her life behind bars. Sentencing is expected to formally confirm the life imprisonment ruling, with no chance of parole. Her legal team is likely to pursue appeals, but prosecutors remain confident that the evidence will withstand review.

The verdict also raises new questions about accountability within the Adelson family, though no additional charges are currently pending against other relatives.

Legacy of the Case

For Markel’s family and supporters, the conviction represents a long-awaited measure of justice. The Dan Markel case has been one of Florida’s most notorious legal sagas, drawing national media attention for its blend of family drama, affluence, and violent crime.

While nothing can undo the tragedy, prosecutors say the verdict sends a clear message: those who orchestrate violence from behind the scenes will be held just as accountable as those who pull the trigger.