Paul L. Caron
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Thursday, December 14, 2023

Dan Markel Murder Update: Charlie Adelson Gets Life Sentence But Maintains His Innocence; Donna Adelson Pleads Not Guilty And Is Admonished By Judge

Tallahassee Democrat, Charlie Adelson Sentenced to Life in Jail as Dan Markel's Father Reflects:

Adelson (Charlie & Donna)Charlie Adelson, the wealthy Fort Lauderdale periodontist who financed and planned the 2014 hit on his former brother-in-law, Dan Markel, was sentenced to life in prison for the heinous murder.

Leon Circuit Judge Stephen Everett imposed the sentence Tuesday during a short but emotional hearing in which Markel’s father, Phil Markel, spoke out on behalf of his family. With Dan Markel's mother, Ruth, and sister, Shelly, on the line from Canada, Phil Markel urged Everett via Zoom to impose the maximum sentence on Adelson. ...

Adelson, 47, sat silently as Phil Markel spoke about his son’s murder and the near-zero contact his family has had with their grandchildren, Dan Markel’s two sons, since the murder.

He remained defiant until the end, offering a single statement before Everett announced the sentence.

“I would just like to say that I maintain my innocence,” Adelson said.

Tallahassee Democrat, Donna Adelson Pleads Not Guilty in Dan Markel Murder, Asks to be Moved Off Suicide Watch:

Donna Adelson pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy and solicitation in the 2014 murder-for-hire killing of her former son-in-law, Dan Markel.

Adelson, 73, of Miami, appeared before Leon Circuit Judge Stephen Everett for arraignment and a hearing on a motion filed by her defense last week to move her off suicide watch at the Leon County Detention Facility.

Law & Crime, ‘Keep Your Comments to Yourself’: Judge Calls Out Donna Adelson For Smirking and Talking in Court as Jail Official Testifies About Suicidal Statements:

Donna Adelson appeared in a Leon County, Florida, courtroom Monday for a murder arraignment in the 2014 shooting death of her former son-in-law, FSU law professor Dan Markel, and it was clear that she was not pleased how things were going for her.

Adelson, now 73, repeatedly shook her head and smirked as a jail official explained that she was in solitary confinement because she allegedly made comments that she “wanted to die” and also made suicidal statements on jailhouse calls.

At one point, Judge Stephen Everett had enough of Adelson’s commentary. Adelson could be heard saying “Oh my God” as the judge discussed the defendant’s allegedly expressed plan to kill herself by taking sleeping pills.

Complete TaxProf Blog coverage:

https://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2023/12/dan-markel-murder-update-charlie-adelson-gets-life-sentence-but-maintains-his-innocence-donna-adelso.html

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