Posted at 4:21 PM, October 13, 2025
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Court TV) — A tearful Donna Adelson was scolded by the judge as she declared her innocence during the formal sentencing for the murder of FSU law professor Dan Markel.
Donna Adelson cries during her sentencing hearing on Oct. 13, 2025. (Court TV)
In September, Adelson became the fifth person convicted for the murder-for-hire of her former son-in-law, who was shot to death outside of his Tallahassee home in 2014. Adelson’s son, Charlie Adelson, was previously convicted of the same charges. Jurors found that she plotted Markel’s death and gave money to the hitmen, using her son and his ex-girlfriend as conduits.
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Donna delivered a tearful monologue to the court, beginning with kind words about the victim. “My son-in-law, Dan Markel, was a fine and decent man. He was a good son-in-law, but more importantly, he was a caring and loving father.”
But Donna quickly pivoted to declaring her innocence. “The people who did this act are exactly where they deserve to be, but I had no knowledge that this horrible, evil act was going to take place,” Donna said. “I would have stopped it.” Donna began listing what she perceived as errors in her trial, asking, “Where is the evidence?” before Judge Stephen Everett cut her off, saying, “Is the defense trying to re-argue the trial?”
Donna continued along the same path, despite a warning from Judge Everett that, “The court can take into consideration the utter lack of remorse that you are displaying. Please proceed if you desire to do so.”
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Donna’s husband, Harvey, also had harsh words for the Court as he defended his wife. “She has done nothing wrong and yet is being punished for a crime she did not commit. I thought we lived in a different world, but I was wrong.” He closed his message by saying, ‘This is not justice. It is vengeance and it is baloney.”
Donna’s defense sent seven letters of support to Judge Everett to review prior to her sentencing. The letters, written by friends who have known Donna for years, describe her as “kindhearted, generous, loving and caring” and urge Judge Everett to consider her positive qualities. One letter said they will always believe Donna is innocent, saying she “is incapable of threatening or harming anyone.”
Judge Everett sentenced Donna to life in prison without the possibility of parole, to be followed by 30 years.
Since her conviction, Donna filed a motion for a new trial, which was swiftly denied by Judge Everett. Donna faces a life sentence for her convictions of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation.
