Nearly a decade after courtroom skirmishes began, Florida grandmother Donna Adelson has been found guilty in relation to the 2014 murder-for-hire slaying of her former son-in-law, Daniel Markel, an FSU law professor.
On Thursday, Sept. 4, a jury found Adelson guilty of first-degree murder, solicitation to commit murder, and conspiracy to commit murder in a case that has captivated Florida for years. Markel was shot and killed outside his Tallahassee driveway on July 18, 2014, during a bitter divorce and custody battle with Adelson’s daughter.
Emotional Verdict In Courtroom
Adelson dissolved into tears as the verdicts were read, screaming out when the initial guilty verdict was announced. She wept on continuing to learn the remainder of the charges. The verdict followed a two-week trial and a mere hours’ worth of deliberation from the jury, indicating how heavily jurors balanced the evidence that had been offered.
Prosecution And Defense Arguments
In closing arguments, prosecutor Georgia Cappleman accepted the absence of direct forensic evidence linking Adelson to the shooting but contended her meticulous planning contained no “smoking gun.” Cappleman encouraged the jury to penetrate Adelson’s strategic actions, saying: “Don’t let the way she thought she’d get away with this be the way she gets away with this.”
In the meantime, defense lawyer Jackie Fulford contended that prosecutors had been unable to establish their case beyond a reasonable doubt, pointing to a lack of physical evidence and alleging Adelson was unfairly singled out.
A Decade-Long Legal Battle
Markel’s murder sparked one of Florida’s most infamous murder-for-hire cases. Four men, including hitmen and middlemen, had previously been convicted in connection with the assassination-type killing prior to Adelson’s trial. Prosecutors alleged that Adelson was instrumental by masterminding and funding the scheme because her daughter was engaged in a bitter custody dispute with Markel.
The guilty verdict closes out a case that has dragged on for over a decade, attracting national attention both for its intricacy and for the egregious involvement of a reputable family in a proposed murder plot.
Adelson is faced with the potential for a life sentence when her sentence is decided on a later date.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
