SAEDNEWS: Donna Adelson’s high-stakes trial shocked Florida with revelations of custody battles, hired killers, and emotional breakdowns that ultimately convinced the jury of her guilt.
According to Saed News; Why the Donna Adelson Case Became One of Florida’s Most Sensational Trials — and the Courtroom Moments That Sealed Her Fate
In a case that gripped Florida for over a decade, Donna Adelson, a 75-year-old wealthy matriarch from South Florida, was convicted on September 4, 2025, of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation in the 2014 murder-for-hire killing of her former son-in-law, law professor Daniel Markel.
Prosecutors painted a chilling picture: a bitter custody dispute stood at the heart of the crime. Markel’s refusal to allow his ex-wife Wendi—Donna’s daughter—to move with their children triggered Donna’s alleged orchestration of the plot. They claimed Donna spent over $100,000 to hire hitmen, convincing the jury of her motive and means.
Markel was found shot execution-style in the garage of his Tallahassee home. Investigators unraveled a web of conspirators: Donna’s son Charlie, intermediary Katherine Magbanua, and Latin Kings gang members Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera— all convicted in this death plot
The verdict delivery became a pivotal moment. As the judge announced her conviction, Donna blurted "Oh my God!" and broke down crying uncontrollably. The judge had to excuse the jury while she calmed herself — a raw human moment that likely resonated deeply with jurors.
This wasn’t just another crime story—it involved a prominent family, academia, and power. The emotional impact statements delivered by Markel’s parents, especially his mother who described losing a “treasure,” intensified public reaction. The saga of a respected professor killed over a bitter family fight became national news.
The trial, unfolding two decades ago, grew into a courtroom drama straight out of a crime thriller: elite wealth, betrayal, custody battles, hired murderers, and a tearful matriarch. Media outlets followed every moment—right through her attempted flight to Vietnam in 2023 and the explosive details presented in court.
