THE CASE FILEResearched Nov 8, 2026
Donna Adelson / Dan Markel murder-for-hire case
Shared case background · not a recap of this recording
Donna Adelson was tried in Florida over prosecutors’ allegation that she helped orchestrate the 2014 murder-for-hire killing of her former son-in-law, Florida State University law professor Dan Markel. Reporting describes the case as stemming from a bitter custody dispute after Markel was shot and killed in Tallahassee. [1][2]
- Who
- Donna Adelson is the defendant; Dan Markel was the victim in the case background reporting. [1][2]
- Charges
- She was charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation in connection with the killing. [2]
Later developments Reveal spoilers +
On September 4, 2025, Donna Adelson was convicted on all counts in the murder of Dan Markel. [1][2]
Sources & research notes 3 sources
Case background may include developments after this recording. This is a summary of the linked reporting, not a transcript or a live case-status feed. Discussion questions are prompts, not factual claims.
