Grandmother Accused in Decade-Old Law Professor Murder: A Family Plot Unravels
TALLAHASSEE,FL – After nearly 11 years,Donna Sue Adelson,75,the former mother-in-law of Florida State University law professor Dan Markel,is set to stand trial for allegedly orchestrating his 2014 murder. The charges – first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation of murder – stem from a chilling prosecution claim that the killing was a calculated act within a bitter family feud over a contentious custody battle.
Markel was gunned down in his driveway in Tallahassee, a crime that shocked the legal community and sparked a decade-long examination. Prosecutors allege Adelson’s motive was to eliminate Markel, thereby freeing her daughter, Wendi Adelson, from the constraints of a challenging co-parenting situation. Donna Adelson has pleaded not guilty.
[Image of Donna Adelson – Caption: Donna Adelson, who is charged in the 2014 murder-for-hire of FSU law professor Dan Markel, takes a deep breath as she arrives at the Leon County Courthouse in tallahassee, Florida on August 28, 2024.]
The road to charging Adelson was deliberately methodical, according to former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg, a freind of the victim. ”The day of reckoning for Donna is here and justice has come slowly, but it is going to arrive,” Aronberg told Fox News Digital.”Prosecutors had to go step by step, starting with the hitmen, then Katherine Magbanua [Adelson’s former girlfriend], then Charlie Adelson [Markel’s former brother-in-law]. Only then did they have enough to take down Donna.”
A Web of Allegations:
The case has already seen convictions related to the murder. Charlie Adelson, Markel’s former brother-in-law, was found guilty last year of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder. Prosecutors presented evidence suggesting Charlie Adelson hired hitmen to carry out the killing, fueled by his mother and sister’s desire to resolve the custody dispute. Katherine Magbanua, linked to Charlie Adelson, was also convicted for her role in the plot.
What’s next?
The trial of Donna Sue Adelson promises to be a high-profile event, potentially revealing further details about the alleged conspiracy and the motivations behind the shocking crime. The prosecution will need to demonstrate a direct link between Adelson and the hiring of the hitmen, a challenge given the layers of intermediaries involved.
this case continues to draw national attention, highlighting the dark side of family disputes and the lengths to which some will go to achieve their desired outcomes.
Key Takeaways:
Donna Sue Adelson is charged with orchestrating the 2014 murder of her former son-in-law, Dan Markel.
The alleged motive was to resolve a bitter custody battle involving Markel and her daughter, Wendi Adelson.
The prosecution built its case incrementally, securing convictions against others allegedly involved in the plot. the trial is expected to reveal further details about the alleged conspiracy.
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