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Law Professor's Murder: Mother Convicted in Plot
3 Jan
Summary
- Donna Adelson convicted of first-degree murder in 2025.
- Dan Markel was shot in 2014 after custody disputes.
- Family matriarch orchestrated murder-for-hire plot.
In 2025, Donna Adelson was convicted of first-degree murder, concluding a decade-long legal battle surrounding the 2014 death of Florida State University law professor Dan Markel. Markel's life tragically ended on July 18, 2014, after he was shot in his driveway, succumbing to his injuries the following day. This devastating event occurred amidst escalating custody disputes with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson.
The investigation unveiled a complex murder-for-hire scheme orchestrated by the Adelson family, with Donna Adelson at its center. Prosecutors presented evidence that she, along with her son Charlie Adelson, conspired to have Markel killed due to the custody issues. Hired individuals were involved in executing the plot.
After arrests and trials for others involved, including Charlie Adelson and Katie Magbanua, Donna Adelson was apprehended in 2023 while attempting to flee the country. She maintained her innocence, but a jury found her guilty in 2025, sentencing her to life in prison plus 30 years.
