Introduction

In a verdict that closes a painful chapter in a tangled family saga, Donna Adelson, the 75-year-old matriarch of a wealthy South Florida family, was convicted on September 4, 2025, of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation in connection with the 2014 execution-style killing of her former son-in-law, law professor Daniel Markel. This outcome follows high-profile convictions of her son, daughter’s ex, and others linked to the murder-for-hire plot.

Key Evidence That Led to the Conviction

1. Wiretapped Calls & Emails

Prosecutors built their case with evidence of Donna’s involvement through recorded communications, including messages that hinted at coordination and planning.

2. Financial Paper Trail

Investigators found a series of checks signed by Donna, payable to intermediaries, suggesting she financed parts of the plot.

3. Planner Notes

Markel’s car details were discovered in Donna’s personal planner, an indication she may have helped the killers track him.

4. Suspicious Money Transfers

On the day of the murder, Donna was observed dropping off cash at her son Charlie’s home, which prosecutors argued was used to pay the hired gunmen.

5. Circumstantial Evidence & Closing Arguments

Though no single piece of direct proof was presented, the prosecution described the case as a “death by a thousand cuts,” arguing the web of circumstantial details left no doubt.

6. Defense’s Rebuttal

Donna’s lawyers argued there was no direct proof, claiming the state relied only on foul words and assumptions. They painted her as a meddling mother, not a mastermind.

7. Jury’s Speed & Family Fallout

After just over three hours of deliberation, the jury returned a guilty verdict. The courtroom witnessed raw emotions, including statements from Markel’s parents and visible distress from Donna herself.

FAQs

Q: Who was Dan Markel and what led to his death?

Dan Markel was a respected Florida State University law professor who was shot and killed in his Tallahassee garage in July 2014 amid a contentious custody battle with his ex-wife.

Q: Who else has been convicted in this case?

Donna’s son, Charlie Adelson, received a life sentence. Intermediary Katherine Magbanua and hitman Sigfredo Garcia are also serving life terms. Another accomplice, Luis Rivera, accepted a plea deal for a reduced sentence.

Q: Was Wendi Adelson ever charged?

No. Wendi Adelson, Markel’s ex-wife, has denied involvement and has not been charged.

Q: When is sentencing scheduled?

A case management hearing is set for October 14, 2025, with sentencing expected soon after.

Conclusion

The jury’s swift decision in Donna Adelson’s trial demonstrates how circumstantial evidence—communications, financial records, and behavioral patterns—can build a powerful case. This conviction is not just the end of a courtroom battle but the culmination of years of anguish, suspicion, and pursuit of justice.

Yet, the case also leaves society with difficult questions: How far should loyalty to family extend? Can desperation over custody and control push someone into unimaginable choices? And what does this saga say about privilege, influence, and the fragility of human relationships?

As sentencing approaches, one truth remains—this case will be studied for years as both a cautionary tale of family conflict and a striking example of justice slowly, but decisively, catching up.