Florida Grandma Arrested in Connection to Murder-For-Hire Plot: A Shocking Turn of Events
By Morgan Gallagher
Published January 18, 2024
Donna Adelson, 73, was apprehended just moments before she was about to board a one-way flight to Vietnam. The startling bodycam footage showed her trying to hold onto her cell phone as the police placed handcuffs on her. She expressed her frustration at the situation, saying, 'Oh here we go again,' when the officers approached her. This arrest came shortly after her son, Charlie Adelson, was found guilty of orchestrating a murder plot against his brother-in-law, FSU professor Dan Markel in 2014.
The Confrontation at the Airport
Donna Adelson, clad in a blue t-shirt and gray hoodie, was approached by the police at Miami International Airport. The officers asked to see her passport and then informed her about the arrest in connection to Markel's murder. There was a brief struggle as she resisted giving up her phone, stating that her attorney advised against it. Her husband, Harvey Adelson, also voiced his reluctance to hand over the phone.
Emotional Moments
During the arrest, Donna Adelson pleaded with the officers to allow her husband to accompany her, citing his age as a reason. However, the request was denied, and she bid her husband goodbye before being led away in handcuffs. The emotional exchange was captured as she reassured her husband and he expressed his disbelief at the situation. The video showed her being paraded through the airport in front of confused travelers, adding to the dramatic nature of the arrest.
Legal Proceedings and Allegations
Donna Adelson faced charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation in connection to the death of Dan Markel. The prosecution revealed that she harbored animosity towards Markel, especially due to his efforts in a custody battle with her daughter. It was alleged that she was determined to thwart his plans to relocate her grandsons. In the days leading up to her arrest, discussions of fleeing the country or contemplating suicide were uncovered, indicating the gravity of the situation.
The Murder-for-Hire Plot
The intricate web of the murder-for-hire plot involved Donna Adelson's son, Charlie Adelson, who was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the scheme. He was found guilty of orchestrating the murder through his then-girlfriend, Katie Magbanua, who enlisted two hitmen, Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera, to carry out the reprehensible act. Magbanua and Garcia received life sentences, while Rivera was sentenced to 19 years after cooperating with the authorities. Donna Adelson vehemently denied any involvement in the heinous plot.
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