Donna Adelson was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation in the murder-for-hire case of her son-in-law, a prominent law professor at Florida State University. She had a total meltdown in court when the verdict was read. Donna Adelson had been accused of orchestrating a plot to have Daniel Markel killed back in 2014.
According to prosecutors, the motive behind the murder was to help her daughter, Wendi Adelson, get full custody of her children after a messy divorce with Markel. According to Fox, she was arrested in 2023 at Miami International Airport with a one-way ticket to Vietnam, which has no extradition treaty with the U.S.
The moment the jury announced she had been convicted of first-degree murder, Adelson shouted, “Oh my God!” before breaking down in tears and shaking. The emotional outburst was enough for Judge Stephen Everett to scold the 75-year-old grandmother, saying, “Mrs. Adelson, control yourself.” After her outburst, the judge ordered the jury out of the courtroom and gave Adelson a two-minute break to compose herself.
Grandma surprised by conviction of first-degree murder, despite planning and carrying out the killing
“While this was not the outcome I’m sure that you desire, there will not be any further outbursts in front of the jury,” Judge Everett told her. This verdict is a long-awaited “day of reckoning,” according to former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg. The conviction of Donna Adelson comes after her son, Charlie Adelson, was also found guilty of the crime.
Charlie is already serving a life sentence, as is his ex-girlfriend, Katherine Magbanua, who prosecutors said was the intermediary for the two men hired to carry out the killing. The two men, Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera, were also sentenced for their roles in the murder. Garcia is serving a life sentence, while Rivera is serving a 19-year sentence after cooperating with the state.
There are no tears here because Donna Adelson wasn’t crying, she was throwing a temper tantrum. This entitled piece of shit had gotten everything she ever wanted. So much so that she thought she could get away with murder. Fuck you Donna. They aren’t going to follow the inmate… pic.twitter.com/zrQ7WDZdkx
— Jay (@jaybronious) September 5, 2025
Markel’s mother, Ruth Markel, released a statement after the verdict was read, saying, “My son Dan’s life was cut tragically short at 41 years old. For 11 years we have been forced to a life filled with unimaginable pain and heartbreak.”
Wendi Adelson has repeatedly denied any involvement in the killing and has not been charged. This is awful for anyone who has been following the case, especially considering how the family has been accused of orchestrating the entire thing. While there are no more details on the Adelson case, the judge said sentencing for Donna Adelson would come “at a later date,” but scheduled case management for October 14.
