Justice Served: In a dramatic culmination to a decade-long legal battle, Donna Adelson, the 75-year-old matriarch of a prominent South Florida family, was convicted on Thursday, September 4, 2025, for her central role in the 2014 murder-for-hire of her former son-in-law, Florida State University law professor Daniel Markel. The Leon County jury reached a verdict after deliberating for just under three hours, finding Adelson guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and solicitation to commit first-degree murder. She faces a potential life sentence. According to the USA TODAY Network, Adelson cried out and became visibly emotional when the first guilty verdict was read.
Key Players and Their Roles
The complex web of relationships and actions leading to Daniel Markel’s death involved several key individuals, each playing a distinct role in the tragic events. Understanding these roles is crucial to grasping the full scope of the case.
The Adelson Family
- Donna Adelson: The convicted mastermind behind the murder-for-hire plot. Prosecutors argued she was the driving force, fueled by a desire to relocate her daughter and grandchildren.
- Charlie Adelson: Donna’s son and Wendi’s brother, previously convicted in 2023 for orchestrating the murder. He acted as the link between his mother’s desires and the individuals who carried out the crime.
- Wendi Adelson: Donna’s daughter and Markel’s ex-wife. The contentious divorce and custody battle served as the motive for the murder.
The Hitmen and Intermediary
- Katherine Magbanua: Charlie Adelson’s ex-girlfriend, who acted as an intermediary between the Adelson family and the hitmen. According to court documents reviewed by Law360, she facilitated communication and payment for the murder.
- Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera: The hitmen who carried out the shooting of Daniel Markel in his driveway.
Legal and Personal Perspectives
- Prosecutors Georgia Cappleman and Sarah Kathryn Dugan: The legal team that presented the case against Donna Adelson, meticulously piecing together evidence to demonstrate her guilt.
- Defense Attorney Jackie Fulford: Represented Donna Adelson, attempting to cast doubt on the prosecution’s case and defend her client against the charges.
- Judge Stephen Everett: Presided over the trial in the Florida Second Judicial Circuit, ensuring a fair and impartial legal process.
- Ruth and Phil Markel: Daniel Markel’s parents, who have been steadfast in their pursuit of justice for their son, enduring years of grief and uncertainty. Ruth Markel delivered an emotional impact statement, as reported by Florida Politics, after the verdict.
The Timeline of Events
The events leading up to and following Daniel Markel’s murder unfolded over several years, marked by key milestones in the investigation and legal proceedings.
- July 18, 2014: Daniel Markel was shot to death in his Tallahassee driveway. This marked the beginning of the long and complex investigation.
- November 2023: Donna Adelson was arrested at Miami International Airport, allegedly attempting to flee to Vietnam, a country without an extradition treaty with the U.S., shortly after her son Charlie’s conviction, as reported by WPLG Local 10.
- August 19, 2025: Donna Adelson’s trial began in Leon County, Florida.
- September 4, 2025: Donna Adelson was convicted on all charges related to Daniel Markel’s murder.
Motive: Custody and Control
The prosecution successfully argued that the motive behind Daniel Markel’s murder stemmed from a contentious divorce and bitter child custody battle between Markel and Wendi Adelson. According to court documents presented by prosecutors Cappleman and Dugan, the Adelson family harbored a “desperate desire” to relocate Wendi and her two young children from Tallahassee to South Florida. Markel’s refusal to allow the children to move was presented as the primary catalyst for the murder-for-hire plot. Donna Adelson was portrayed as a “calculated and controlling matriarch” who “micromanaged” her daughter’s life and was determined to achieve the relocation. Evidence presented at trial included her detailed 2014 day planner containing Markel’s car details, and suspicious handwritten checks to Katherine Magbanua shortly after the murder, as detailed by Court TV.
Impact and Aftermath of Justice
Donna Adelson’s conviction represents a pivotal moment in a case that has gripped Florida for more than a decade. With her conviction, five individuals have now been found guilty in connection with Markel’s murder, including her son Charlie Adelson, who is currently serving a life sentence. The Markel family has expressed their profound grief and sadness, with Daniel’s mother, Ruth Markel, delivering an emotional impact statement after the verdict. She highlighted the “unimaginable pain and heartbreak” they have endured for 11 years. The case has revealed disturbing details of family tensions and alleged efforts by the Adelson family to erase Markel from his children’s lives, including changing their last names. Sentencing for Donna Adelson is expected at a later date. The ABA Journal has extensively covered the legal implications of this case.
The Adelson Family’s Web of Deceit
The conviction of Donna Adelson marks a significant chapter in the pursuit of justice for Daniel Markel. The evidence presented throughout the trials of those involved paints a disturbing picture of a family willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve their desires. The long-term impact on the Markel family, and the legal precedents set by this case, will continue to be felt for years to come. As noted by CBC News, the case has raised questions about the complexities of family dynamics and the potential for deadly consequences when disputes escalate.
