Donna Adelson, a 73-year-old Florida grandmother, has been arrested at Miami International Airport for her alleged involvement in a murder-for-hire plot. The target of this plot was her former son-in-law, Daniel Markel, a law professor at Florida State University. Adelson’s lawyer, Daniel Rashbaum, who is also representing her son, Charlie Adelson, had a potential conflict of interest in the case. However, Adelson waived the conflict and her right to seek outside counsel. It is possible that Rashbaum may be called as a witness in the case, which could lead to his removal as Adelson’s lawyer.
Adelson was apprehended in November at the airport, where she was found with a one-way ticket to Vietnam. A recorded prison phone call between Adelson and her son revealed discussions about fleeing to Vietnam, China, or Korea to avoid extradition. Bodycam footage of her arrest showed Adelson resisting officers’ attempts to take away her cellphone before they handcuffed her in front of her husband, who has not been implicated in the murder conspiracy.
Prosecutors in Florida have charged Adelson with first-degree murder and solicitation of murder in connection with Markel’s death. Markel was killed in July 2014 when he was ambushed by gunmen in his Tallahassee driveway. At the time, he was engaged in a contentious child custody battle with Adelson’s daughter, Wendi Adelson. The Adelsons were also reportedly opposed to Markel’s desire to raise their children in a kosher household.
The investigation into the murder revealed three co-conspirators who were convicted in the case: Charlie Adelson’s ex-girlfriend, Katherine Magbanua, and hired gunmen Luis Rivera and Sigfredo Garcia. Adelson’s next court hearing is scheduled for February 12, and she has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
This case has garnered significant attention due to its shocking nature and the involvement of a prominent Florida family. The murder-for-hire plot and subsequent arrest of Donna Adelson have raised questions about the motives behind the crime and the family dynamics at play. As the legal proceedings continue, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the events leading up to Daniel Markel’s tragic death.
