South Florida matriarch sentenced to life in prison for hired killing of her ex-son-in-law

Donna Adelson listens to statements made on her behalf by family friends during her sentencing for her role in the murder of Dan Markel on Monday. Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat/AP

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

Adelson was found guilty last month of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation after a lengthy trial. On Monday, a judge sentenced her to life without parole for the murder conviction, plus an additional 30 years for the other two charges, to be served consecutively. Adelson maintains her innocence and plans to appeal the verdict.

Markel was shot to death outside his Tallahassee home during a bitter custody dispute with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, Donna’s daughter. The case drew national attention for years due to its dramatic mix of family conflict, wealth, and revenge.

Before sentencing, Adelson delivered an emotional statement in court, declaring she had been wrongfully convicted.

> “What happened to Danny is unforgivable. But I am an innocent woman convicted of a terrible crime without evidence,” she said. “I’ve always respected the law. I’ve never even had a parking ticket. Yet I’m going to prison for a murder I did not commit.”

Circuit Judge Stephen Everett repeatedly interrupted Adelson, criticizing her comments as proof of an “utter lack of remorse.”

Dressed in a purple jail jumpsuit and shackled, Adelson stood silently as Everett imposed the sentence. “You may continue to deny your involvement,” the judge said, “but the court finds the evidence in this case clear and compelling.”

Adelson is the fifth person convicted in the murder plot that stunned Florida. Her son, Charles Adelson, is already serving a life sentence for his role. Prosecutors described Donna as the mastermind — a controlling matriarch with both motive and means to have Markel killed after years of resentment and family tension.

Her defense team argued that prosecutors failed to provide concrete evidence tying her to the hit, instead blaming others involved. Wendi Adelson, the victim’s ex-wife, has denied any involvement and has not been charged.

The case continues to fascinate the public more than a decade later, serving as a chilling tale of family feuds, betrayal, and a murder that shattered multiple lives.