Donna Adelson, 75, was sentenced to life in prison for hiring hitmen to kill her daughter’s ex-husband, Daniel Markel. Adelson was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation for the 2014 murder.
Donna Adelson, a 75-year-old grandmother, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for her role in orchestrating the 2014 murder of Daniel Markel, her daughter’s former husband. The murder took place in Tallahassee, Florida, during a custody and divorce battle involving Adelson’s daughter, Wendi.
Adelson was arrested in November 2023 at Miami International Airport as she attempted to flee to Vietnam with her husband, Harvey. She was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder after hiring hitmen to carry out the fatal shooting of Daniel Markel, a 41-year-old law professor.
The Murder and Conspiracy
In July 2014, Markel was shot and killed in the garage of his Tallahassee home by hitmen hired by Donna Adelson. The murder came amid a bitter divorce and custody battle between Markel and Wendi Adelson, which had been ongoing for months. The prosecution argued that Donna Adelson plotted the murder after learning that Wendi planned to move 300 miles away with their children to be closer to her parents.
Last month, a jury found Donna Adelson guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy. In addition to her life sentence for the murder charge, she was handed an additional 30 years for conspiracy and solicitation, with the charges to be served consecutively.
Adelson’s Defense and Appeal
Despite the conviction, Donna Adelson maintained her innocence throughout the trial. In a statement at her sentencing, she claimed, “What happened to Danny is unforgivable. But I am an innocent woman convicted of this terrible crime without evidence.” She added, “I’ve always respected the law. I’ve never gotten a parking ticket, But I’m going to prison for a murder I did not commit.”
Circuit Judge Stephen Everett interrupted Adelson several times during her sentencing, stating, “You certainly can choose to deny your involvement and maintain innocence. The court finds the evidence in this case is clear.” Adelson has stated that she intends to appeal her conviction.
The Hitmen and Co-Conspirators
Alongside Donna Adelson, her son Charles Adelson and his former girlfriend Katherine Magbanua were also convicted in connection with the murder. Both were sentenced to life in prison for their roles in the crime.
Luis Rivera, one of the hitmen involved, had already been serving a 12-year federal sentence but agreed to a plea deal, which reduced his sentence to seven additional years, to be served concurrently with his other sentence. The other hitman, Sigfredo Garcia, who is the ex-husband of Katherine Magbanua, is currently serving a life sentence for his involvement in the murder.
The Prosecution’s Case
Prosecutors argued that Donna Adelson was the mastermind behind the murder, having planned the killing in order to prevent her daughter from moving away with her children. Prosecutor Georgia Cappleman emphasized to the jury that there was no “smoking gun,” as Donna Adelson was careful to avoid leaving direct evidence. “Don’t let the way she thought she’d get away with this be the way she gets away with this,” Cappleman told jurors.
Family Denies Involvement
Harvey Adelson, Donna’s husband, and Wendi Adelson, the daughter at the center of the custody battle, have denied any involvement in the murder. Neither has been charged in connection with the crime.
Conclusion
Donna Adelson’s conviction marks the end of a years-long investigation into the murder of Daniel Markel. As her appeal proceeds, the case continues to capture national attention for the shocking role of a mother and grandmother in the orchestrated murder of a man amid a contentious family dispute.
