Judge Denies New Trial for Florida Matriarch
A Florida circuit judge on Sept. 25 denied Donna Adelson’s request for a new trial after jurors this month convicted her of first-degree murder, conspiracy and solicitation in the 2014 murder-for-hire killing of Florida State University law professor Daniel Markel in Tallahassee. In a written order, Circuit Judge Stephen Everett found the record contains sufficient evidence of Adelson’s overt acts in furtherance of a murder-for-hire scheme; Adelson faces a possible life sentence and is scheduled to return to court Oct. 14 for further proceedings.
Legal
Crime
🔍 Key Facts
- Circuit Judge Stephen Everett issued an order on Sept. 25, 2025 denying the motion for a new trial.
- Donna Adelson was convicted earlier this month by a jury on first-degree murder, conspiracy and solicitation in the 2014 killing of Daniel Markel.
- The case involves alleged orchestration of a murder-for-hire tied to a long custody dispute; Adelson is facing a possible life sentence and will appear Oct. 14 for court proceedings.