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3d ago

Donna Adelson Convicted of First-Degree Murder in 2014 Killing of Law Professor Dan Markel

Prosecutors say the plot stemmed from a custody relocation dispute over moving Markel’s children to South Florida.

Donna Adelson Guilty: Jury Convicts Matriarch in Killing of Jewish Law Professor Daniel Markel
Toronto-raised Daniel Markel, a well-known law professor, author and blogger, was gunned down in his Florida home in July 2014. His ex-mother-in-law was convicted Thursday in his murder.

Overview

  • Jurors on Sept. 4 found Adelson guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy and solicitation after a roughly two-week trial in Tallahassee.
  • She faces a potential life sentence, with case management set for Oct. 14 and sentencing to be scheduled afterward.
  • Prosecutors presented wiretaps, an FBI sting, 44 checks to intermediary Katherine Magbanua, and Markel’s car details recorded in Adelson’s planner.
  • Adelson declined to testify after the judge pressed her to decide, and her defense argued there was no direct evidence linking her to the murder.
  • Four others are already imprisoned in the case, including her son Charlie Adelson, Magbanua, gunman Sigfredo Garcia and driver Luis Rivera; she was arrested in 2023 at Miami International Airport while trying to fly to Vietnam.