South Florida matriarch Donna Adelson, who was convicted of orchestrating the murder of her ex-son-in-law, has been sentenced to life in prison — despite her repeated claims of innocence.
Adelson, 75, was found guilty last month of first-degree murder, conspiracy and solicitation after a weekslong trial in Tallahassee. She was ordered to serve life without the possibility of parole for the murder charge, with an additional 30 years for the other two counts, to be served consecutively.
In a statement ahead of her sentencing on Monday, Adelson denied playing any part in the 2014 murder-for-hire plot targeting Florida State University law professor Daniel Markel. He was shot twice in the head at point-blank range as he sat in his car after dropping off his children at preschool.
“If I had become aware of this plan before Danny was murdered, I would have stopped it,” she told the court. “What happened to Danny is unforgivable. But I am an innocent woman convicted of this terrible crime without evidence.”
Adelson added: “I swear to you on my life, I was not involved in any way with Danny’s murder. I was not.”
Circuit Judge Stephen Everett interrupted her multiple times, warning her the statements signaled an “utter lack of remorse” for the crime.
“You certainly can choose to deny your involvement and maintain innocence,” Everett added. “The court finds the evidence in this case is clear.”
Markel’s murder came amid a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife — and Adelson’s daughter — Wendi Adelson.
Prosecutors argued that Adelson, head of a prominent and wealthy family, had the means and motive to arrange the killing of Markel, whom she “hated.” The defense, meanwhile, contended that the state did not provide sufficient evidence linking Adelson to the plot, and instead cast suspicion on two of Adelson’s adult children.
Her son, Charlie Adelson, was found guilty of the same charges in 2023. His former girlfriend Katherine Magbanua and the two men hired to kill Markel, Latin Kings gang leader Luis Rivera and Sigfredo Garcia, also received prison time.
Wendi Adelson denied involvement in the killing and has not been charged.
With News Wire Services
