Donna Adelson, the 75-year-old matriarch of a prominent South Florida family, was sentenced to life in prison Monday for orchestrating the murder-for-hire plot that led to the 2014 killing of her former son-in-law, Florida State University law professor Daniel Markel.

Adelson Insists That She’s Innocent

The sentencing, held in a Tallahassee courtroom, comes just over a month after a jury found Adelson guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder. She was arrested in November 2023, nearly a decade after Markel’s death. Before the decision, she addressed the court, insisting she had nothing to do with Markel’s murder and accusing prosecutors of inconsistencies in their case.

Her Judge Wasn’t Convinced

“If I had become aware of this plan before Danny was murdered, I would have stopped it,” Adelson said. “What happened to Danny is unforgivable. But I am an innocent woman convicted of this terrible crime without evidence. I swear to you on my life I was not involved in any way with Danny’s murder. I was not.” Judge Everett wasn’t convinced. “You certainly can choose to deny your involvement and maintain innocence,” he told her. “The court finds the evidence in this case is clear.” He noted her “utter lack of remorse” as he imposed the life sentence.

Markel Was Slain Execution Style

Markel, 41, was gunned down in July 2014 as he sat in his car outside his Tallahassee home after dropping off his two young children at preschool. He was shot twice in the head at point-blank range and died in the hospital 14 hours later. The murder shocked the academic community and eventually revealed a tangled web of family conflict, money, and revenge. At the time of his death, Markel was embroiled in a bitter custody dispute with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson—Donna’s daughter. A judge had ruled against Wendi’s request to move their children from Tallahassee to South Florida, angering the Adelson family.

A Lot Of People Have Gone Down For This Murder

Investigators later concluded that the Adelsons conspired to hire hitmen through intermediaries to end the dispute permanently. Multiple people have since been convicted in connection to the killing, including Donna’s son, Charlie Adelson, who was sentenced to life in prison last year. His former girlfriend, Katherine Magbanua, was also convicted for her role in arranging the hit, while the two gunmen—Luis Rivera, a Latin Kings gang member, and Sigfredo Garcia—received prison sentences of 19 years and life, respectively.

Secret Recordings Are What Brought Donna To Justice

For nearly a decade, Donna Adelson managed to avoid charges even as suspicion around her family grew. But prosecutors said new evidence, including secret recordings and testimony from earlier trials, revealed her deep involvement in financing and planning the murder.