South Florida Matriarch Sentenced to Life in Prison for Hired Killing of Ex-Son-in-Law

Donna Adelson, the 75-year-old matriarch of a wealthy South Florida family, has been sentenced to life in prison for her role in the 2014 murder-for-hire of her former son-in-law, Daniel Markel, a prominent Florida State University law professor.

Markel was shot and killed at his Tallahassee home amid a bitter custody dispute with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, Donna’s daughter. Prosecutors said the murder stemmed from tensions within the family following the couple’s divorce.

After a weekslong trial, a Florida jury found Donna Adelson guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation. On Monday, a judge handed her a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murder charge, plus 30 additional years for the other counts, to be served consecutively. Adelson has vowed to appeal the conviction.

Before sentencing, Adelson delivered an emotional statement in court, insisting she was innocent and calling the verdict a miscarriage of justice.
“What happened to Danny is unforgivable. But I am an innocent woman convicted of this terrible crime without evidence,” she said. “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 repeatedly interrupted her, noting that her statements reflected an “utter lack of remorse.” Dressed in a purple jail jumpsuit and shackled, Adelson stood silently as the judge affirmed the decision.
“You certainly can choose to deny your involvement and maintain innocence. The court finds the evidence in this case is clear,” Judge Everett said.

The case has gripped Florida for more than a decade, marked by details of a contentious divorce, family wealth, and custody battles that prosecutors said ultimately fueled the killing.

Donna Adelson becomes the fifth person sentenced in connection with the murder plot. Her son, Charles Adelson, is also serving a life sentence for his role in arranging the hit.

Prosecutors described Donna as the controlling matriarch of a powerful family with both the motive and the means to orchestrate the killing of a man she “hated.” Defense attorneys, however, argued that the state failed to provide enough evidence tying her directly to the crime and instead pointed to other family members.

Wendi Adelson has consistently denied any involvement and has not been charged.