South Florida Matriarch Convicted of Murder in Killing of Former Son-in-Law, FSU Professor Daniel Markel

Donna Adelson listens to her defense team's opening statements in the courtroom on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida

Donna Adelson, the matriarch of a wealthy South Florida family, was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation charges in the 2014 killing of her former son-in-law, Florida State University law professor Daniel Markel.

Jurors delivered guilty verdicts after a weekslong trial that drew national attention due to its dramatic mix of family conflict, wealth, and a bitter custody battle. Markel was shot to death outside his Tallahassee home in July 2014 during a long-running dispute with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson.

The couple shared custody of their two children, but Wendi wanted to relocate with them more than 370 miles south to be closer to her family. A judge denied the move, and Markel refused to leave Tallahassee, creating what prosecutors said became the motive for the plot.

Donna Adelson

Prosecutors argued that Donna Adelson, 73, helped orchestrate the killing after Markel blocked her daughter and grandchildren from moving. They portrayed her as the calculating head of an affluent family who “hated” her former son-in-law and used her influence and resources to have him eliminated.

Donna Adelson was the fifth person to stand trial in the murder-for-hire scheme. Her son, Charles Adelson, is already serving a life sentence for his role, while Wendi Adelson has denied involvement and has not been charged.

Also convicted in the case are Charles Adelson’s ex-girlfriend, Katherine Magbanua, who prosecutors said acted as a middlewoman, and the two hired gunmen — Sigfredo Garcia, serving life in prison, and Luis Rivera, who received a 19-year sentence after cooperating with authorities.

Defense attorneys argued that prosecutors lacked sufficient evidence tying Donna Adelson directly to the crime and instead attempted to shift suspicion to her adult children. But the jury sided with the state, concluding that Adelson played a central role in arranging Markel’s death.