Tallahassee, FL – A Florida grandmother, Donna Adelson, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for orchestrating the 2014 murder of her former son-in-law, Daniel Markel, a well-known law professor. The judge criticized Adelson for showing an “utter lack of remorse” as she continued to maintain her innocence during the sentencing hearing.
Murder Plot and Conviction
Donna Adelson, 75, was convicted last month for masterminding the cold-blooded murder of Daniel Markel, who was shot in the head outside his home in Tallahassee, Florida. Markel was embroiled in a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, Donna’s daughter, at the time of his death. The case remained unsolved for nearly a decade before key players were arrested in 2022.
Markel’s death was the result of a coordinated conspiracy, with Adelson playing a pivotal role in planning the execution-style murder. Charlie Adelson, her son, was convicted of similar charges in 2023. The plot, carried out by hired hitmen, has been described as a meticulously planned act driven by personal motives.
Sentencing and Lack of Remorse
During the sentencing on Monday, Donna Adelson read aloud a statement in which she continued to assert her innocence, claiming that she had no knowledge of the murder plot before Markel’s death. “What happened to Danny is unforgivable. But I am an innocent woman convicted of this terrible crime without evidence,” Adelson said in court, breaking into quiet tears.
She further stated, “If I had become aware of this plan before Danny was murdered, I would have stopped it.” However, Judge Stephen Everett was not moved by her pleas. The judge reminded her that her lack of remorse would be taken into account when determining her sentence, adding, “The level of planning and coordination to bring the murder of Professor Markel to fruition was definitely significant.”…