TRIAL ARCHIVE · 10 RECORDINGS

Donna Adelson

Not guilty

—/100

Guilty

Audience
average—/100Loading…Loading…

Your vote

Not guiltyGuilty

50/100

Loading…

Audience opinion only

One conversation for this archive. During a hosted rewatch, join the host’s playback or choose to watch on your own.

Proceedings · RECORDING 9

2025 trial · Day 9 · Closings and verdict

LIVE: FL v. Donna Adelson, Day 9 VERDICT | Matriarch Mastermind Murder Trial

COURT TV · Uploaded 2025-09-05 · Watch on YouTube ↗

Playback availability can change on YouTube. Upload dates are not hearing dates.

← Previous recording Next recording →

CONTENTS OF THE ARCHIVE

COURT TV

Watch →

Case background

Florida State University law professor Dan Markel was shot at his Tallahassee home in July 2014 and died the next day. Prosecutors alleged that his former mother-in-law, Donna Adelson, helped arrange his killing in a murder-for-hire plot connected to a family custody dispute.

More background & key dates

On September 4, 2025, a jury convicted Adelson of first-degree murder, conspiracy and solicitation. She received a life sentence on October 13. These ten recordings cover Court TV’s nine trial days and sentencing. The interrupted 2024 proceedings, jury selection and other defendants’ trials are not included; this is a historical viewing guide, not a current appeal-status report.

Compiled by Trial Empire with AI assistance · Sources checked November 10, 2026 · Sources & corrections

Key dates

July 18, 2014
Dan Markel was shot in Tallahassee; he died the following day. Source ↗
September 4, 2025
The jury convicted Donna Adelson on all three charges. Source ↗
October 13, 2025
Adelson was sentenced to life in prison. Source ↗

Collection scope & recording notes

Donna Adelson’s 2025 trial in the murder-for-hire killing of Florida State University law professor Dan Markel. Court TV’s Days 1–9 run from opening statements through the verdict, followed by sentencing. The jury convicted Adelson of first-degree murder, conspiracy and solicitation on September 4, 2025; she received a life sentence on October 13. Numbering follows Court TV and excludes jury selection, the interrupted 2024 proceedings and separate defendants’ trials. 10 recordings, approximately 80 broadcast hours. Original source titles and credits are retained. LIVE in a title refers to the original broadcast. Recordings can contain breaks and broadcaster commentary; this is not a certified complete court record.

THE VIEWER’S GUIDE · 2025 Florida trial and sentencing

Watch with a question in mind.

Which evidence connects a particular person to the alleged agreement? Separate witness testimony from the lawyers’ arguments and include a playback time.

Compiled by Trial Empire with AI assistance · Sources & corrections

Find your place.

Begin the 2025 trial →
Start Court TV’s Day 1 with opening statements.
Watch closings and the verdict →
Day 9 includes closing arguments and the verdict later in the broadcast.
Go to sentencing →
Watch the separate October 13 sentencing hearing.

Before you watch

Does this include the 2024 proceedings?

No. This collection follows the completed 2025 trial from opening statements through sentencing.

Why is opening statements labeled Day 1 here?

The labels follow Court TV’s trial-day numbering. Other broadcasters count jury selection and label the same opening day differently.

Are Charlie Adelson’s proceedings included?

No. This is Donna Adelson’s archive. Separate defendants’ trials and commentary highlights are excluded.

BRING THIS TO THE ROOM

Start with a question.

Which evidence connects a particular person to the alleged agreement? Separate witness testimony from the lawyers’ arguments and include a playback time.

Join the chat →

Discuss the evidence respectfully. Avoid personal information and unsupported accusations.

Sources & further reading

Recording shortcuts use this collection’s existing source labels. No unverified timestamps or hearing dates have been added.

Donna Adelson

Jury Duty

2025 trial · Day 9 · Closings and verdict

The viewing order.

2025 trial · Day 1 · Opening statements

2025 trial · Day 2

2025 trial · Day 3

2025 trial · Day 4

2025 trial · Day 5

2025 trial · Day 6

2025 trial · Day 7

2025 trial · Day 8

2025 trial · Day 9 · Closings and verdict

2025-10-13 · Sentencing