Donna Adelson Who allegedly orchestrated The Plot To eliminate Her Son-in-law, Reportedly Planned to Escape The Country Before Being Arrested at The Airport

The mother of a man recently convicted of arranging a hitman's services is now implicated as a key figure in the same murder plot, as per official documents. Donna Adelson, 73, was apprehended at Miami International Airport with her husband, Harvey, intending to fly to Vietnam. 

She faces severe charges—first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation for the 2014 death of Dan Markel, a 41-year-old law professor at Florida State University. Donna's arrest occurred just a week following her son, Charlie Adelson's conviction on similar charges.

The murder involved a complex set of relationships. Three others were convicted in connection with the murder of Markel, a father of two, who was fatally shot while in his car in the garage of his Tallahassee home. 

Allegedly, Charlie engaged his then-girlfriend, Katherine “Katie” Magbanua, to enlist the father of her children, Sigfredo “Tuto” Garcia, to execute Markel, as argued by prosecutors.

Magbanua received a life sentence in 2022 after being found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation. Garcia had his friend, Luis “Tato” Rivera, assist him and is currently serving a 19-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in Markel’s fatal shooting. 

Garcia, the suspected shooter who traveled from Miami to Tallahassee with Rivera, was convicted in 2019 and sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years for conspiracy.

The probable cause affidavit suggests Donna's alleged role in the murder plot stemmed from her anger towards Markel's refusal to allow her daughter-in-law, Wendi, to relocate with the children to South Florida. 

The affidavit claims Garcia and Rivera were involved in Markel's murder and that it was planned through Magbanua, Charlie, and Donna. The murder occurred amidst a contentious custody battle that began when Wendi filed for divorce in September 2012, finalized in July 2013.

Following the divorce, Wendi sought to move with her two sons to South Florida, where her family resided. However, a judge denied her request, reportedly triggering intense emotions in Donna. 

Allegedly, Wendi's parents, especially Donna, repeatedly tried to coerce Markel into allowing the children to move closer to them. Donna proposed offering Markel $1 million, which he refused, and suggested threatening to convert the children's religion, knowing Markel's strong observance of Judaism.

Statements from Wendi and others in the affidavit suggest suspicions around the involvement of Donna's family in arranging Markel's murder. 

Wendi hinted that someone might have planned the murder to assist her, without her knowledge, due to her parents' intense animosity toward Markel. She claimed Charlie had made jests about hiring a hitman to kill Markel in the past, known for his 'bad taste' jokes, according to the affidavit.

The document alleges that after Charlie's conviction, Donna had discussions with him about future plans. She spoke about getting her affairs in order, including trust funds for her grandchildren. 

Additionally, the affidavit claims Donna discussed fleeing to a non-extradition country, given her substantial financial resources. Currently held without bail, it's uncertain if Donna has legal representation. Meanwhile, Charlie faces a mandatory life sentence, with sentencing scheduled for December."

 

[SOURCE]