Jury selection is wrapping up in the murder case against Donna Adelson, a Florida woman accused of orchestrating the murder of her daughter’s ex.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Adelson, 75, is on trial in Tallahassee, accused of orchestrating the murder of her former son-in-law, Dan Markel.
She’s facing first-degree murder, conspiracy and solicitation charges, for the 2014 contract killing.
Donna’s son, Charlie Adelson, along with his ex-girlfriend Katherine Magbanua, and hitmen Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera, have been convicted in connection with the case.
Police found Markel, a Florida State University law professor, shot in his Tallahassee garage on July 18, 2014. Dan was the former husband of Wendi Adelson.
Wendi is Donna Adelson’s daughter.
According to Court TV, Donna Adelson is being tried in the same courthouse that her son, Charlie, was convicted at. She plans to testify in her own defense.
Investigators said that Markel’s murder stemmed from the Adelson family’s desire for Wendi Adelson and her two young sons to move from Tallahassee to south Florida, where the Adelsons lived.
Wendi and Dan’s divorce settlement in 2013 provided for 50/50 custody, but the Adelson family, unhappy with the shared custody ruling, continued to push for the majority of custody.
“These children are growing up without a father,” Nancy Grace previously said. “I find it revolting. I find it horrible that they would do this, no matter how angry they are about the divorce.”
Meanwhile, Wendi Adelson, who has not been charged in the case, is shielded from testifying.
Donna Adelson’s defense team sought to subpoena Wendi to testify, but her lawyer, John Lauro, filed a motion on August 13, stating it would invoke her Fifth Amendment rights, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.
Leon Circuit Judge Stephen Everett ruled Monday in favor of Wendi Adelson’s request.
“I am going to grant the relief that is requested,” Everett said Monday, according to WCTV.
Since her arrest after trying to flee the country in November 2023, Donna Adelson has been held without bail.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Dan Markel/FSU College of Law faculty biographies; Donna Adelson/AP]
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Author: Leigh Egan
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