Florida Woman Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder-for-Hire Plot That Killed Her Son-in-Law

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Donna Adelson, a 73-year-old Florida grandmother, has been sentenced to life in prison for her role in the murder-for-hire plot that killed her former son-in-law, Dan Markel, a Florida State University law professor.

Adelson received the mandatory life sentence on Monday afternoon, nearly a decade after Markel’s death outside his Tallahassee home. The judge also added 30 years to her sentence for related conspiracy and solicitation charges.

Life Sentence for Orchestrating the 2014 Murder

Markel, 41, was shot to death in his car on July 18, 2014, as he pulled into the garage of his Betton Hills home. Prosecutors said the killing was ordered and financed by Adelson’s family, who paid hitmen $100,000 to end Markel’s life amid a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, Donna’s daughter.

In court Monday, Judge James Everett confirmed the life sentence and agreed to recommend that Adelson be housed near Miami, where her husband Harvey Adelson resides.

Adelson, wearing a blue jail jumpsuit, spoke publicly for the first time, expressing sorrow over Markel’s death but continuing to deny her involvement.

“My son-in-law, Dan Markel, was a fine and decent man,” she said. “His death is a loss to his children, his parents, and to all of us in the family. My heart was broken when Danny died.”

Judge Rebukes Defendant’s “Lack of Remorse”

As Adelson continued, she questioned the evidence used to convict her, insisting she had been wrongfully accused.

“They claim that I, this grandma, was the mastermind behind this murder. Where is the evidence prior to the murder?” she asked.

Judge Everett cut her off twice during her remarks, noting her “utter lack of remorse” and attempts to relitigate the case.

“The court can take into consideration the utter lack of remorse you are displaying,” he told her.

Adelson maintained her innocence to the end, saying,

“Convicting me should not be retribution for Danny’s death. I swear to you on my life, I was not involved in any way in Danny’s murder.”

Family and Friends React During Sentencing

In the courtroom, Harvey Adelson, Donna’s husband, accused the court of bias.

“You’re sending an innocent person to prison,” he said. “You have taken my wife and my life as well. This is not justice. This is vengeance.”

Meanwhile, Markel’s parents attended the hearing remotely from Canada. They did not deliver additional remarks but had previously shared emotional victim impact statements following Donna’s conviction last month.

Five People Now Convicted in the Murder Plot

Donna Adelson is the fifth person convicted in connection to Markel’s murder. Her son, Charlie Adelson, convicted hitman Sigfredo Garcia, and intermediary Katherine Magbanua are all serving life sentences.

A second hitman, Luis Rivera, accepted a 19-year plea deal in exchange for testifying against the others.

Magbanua later became a state witness, changing her testimony after her conviction. Prosecutors have hinted that Wendi Adelson—Markel’s ex-wife—could face future charges, though she has never been indicted and denies any involvement.

Decade-Long Case Nears Closure

The 2014 assassination of Dan Markel shocked the legal community and drew national attention for its mix of family tension, professional success, and a calculated murder-for-hire scheme.

Prosecutor Georgia Cappleman said the state is also seeking more than $723,000 in restitution for prosecution costs.

Markel’s death left behind two young sons, who were at the center of the family’s years-long custody dispute.

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