After The Donna Adelson Verdict: Understanding Florida Homicide, Conspiracy, And Solicitation Charges

On the heels of breaking news from Tallahassee, a Leon County jury has found Donna Adelson, 75, guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation in the 2014 killing of her former son-in-law, Florida State University law professor Dan Markel. The verdict followed roughly three hours of deliberations after weeks of testimony and recordings that prosecutors said tied a bitter custody dispute to a murder-for-hire plot. A case-management hearing is set for October 14, with formal sentencing to follow; under Florida law, first-degree murder is a capital felony.

For families blindsided by an investigation or those who learn their name has surfaced in a wiretap or witness statement, the legal landscape can feel overwhelming. This post explains what the Adelson verdict means in the framework of Florida law and why early defense intervention matters. If you or a loved one is under investigation for homicide or an inchoate offense such as conspiracy or solicitation, speak with an experienced Orlando homicide lawyer as soon as possible.

What the Jury’s Verdict Means Under Florida Law

In Florida, first-degree murder includes any unlawful killing “from a premeditated design to effect the death” of the victim; it’s a capital felony punishable as provided in section 775.082 (life imprisonment or, if the State seeks it and a jury recommends it under section 921.141, death). Prosecutors do not need to prove the defendant personally pulled the trigger. Under Florida’s principal statute, a person who “aids, abets, counsels, hires, or otherwise procures” an offense “may be charged, convicted, and punished as such,” whether or not they were present. These core principles explain how a jury could return a first-degree murder conviction in an alleged murder-for-hire plot against a non-shooter.

The Adelson case also featured separate, non-merging inchoate counts. Criminal conspiracy in Florida focuses on the agreement and shared intent to commit a crime; the text of section 777.04(3) defines conspiracy as agreeing, conspiring, combining, or confederating with another to commit an offense. Notably, Florida courts have long recognized that an “overt act” in furtherance of the conspiracy is not required for conviction, distinguishing the state’s approach from jurisdictions that demand proof of a step beyond agreement.

Solicitation, by contrast, turns on the act of asking or directing another to commit an offense. Under section 777.04(2), the crime is complete when a person “commands, encourages, hires, or requests” another to engage in conduct that would constitute the offense or an attempt; acceptance or success is not required. When the solicited or conspired-to offense is a capital felony like first-degree murder, both solicitation and conspiracy are first-degree felonies under section 777.04(4)(b).

The Evidence Jurors Heard and Why It Mattered

Press and courtroom reports describe recordings, wiretaps, and testimony that prosecutors said tied family communications to the murder-for-hire theory. Jurors also heard evidence about Adelson’s November 2023 arrest at Miami International Airport as she boarded a one-way flight to Vietnam, a fact the State argued reflected consciousness of guilt. The jury convicted on all counts after a little more than three hours of deliberations; following the verdict, the court set the case to return on October 14 to address sentencing timing.

Separate prosecutions arising from the same scheme underscore Florida’s charging framework. Earlier cases resulted in life sentences for Charlie Adelson and Sigfredo Garcia, a life sentence for go-between Katherine Magbanua, and a reduced sentence for Luis Rivera following cooperation—illustrating how principals, conspirators, and solicitors can face distinct exposures, even where each did not personally commit the killing.

Key Florida Statutes at a Glance

Florida’s murder statute, section 782.04(1)(a), codifies premeditated first-degree murder and felony-murder and expressly labels first-degree murder a capital felony. Sentencing for capital felonies is governed by section 775.082, with procedure in death-eligible cases governed by section 921.141. And section 777.011 (the principal statute) is what allows the State to prosecute a non-shooter as though they committed the homicide if they procured or counseled it. Together with section 777.04(2) and (3), which define solicitation and conspiracy, these provisions explain why Florida treats murder-for-hire and referral-based schemes as chargeable on multiple tracks.

Practical Takeaways if You’re Under Investigation

The Adelson verdict is a reminder that conversations, planning, and post-crime conduct can carry extraordinary legal weight. In homicide investigations, agents may assemble a mosaic from messages, recorded calls, travel records, financial activity, and third-party cooperation. Florida’s conspiracy statute does not require the State to prove an overt act, and a solicitation count can stand even absent an agreement by the person solicited.

Meanwhile, the principal statute allows prosecutors to treat planners, financiers, and go-betweens as though they fired the shot. Early, strategic defense, such as protecting communications, challenging inferences, and confronting the reliability and context of recordings, can be the difference between a charge and a dismissal, or between a capital-exposure count and a narrower theory.

Contact The Baez Law Firm

If you or someone you love has been contacted by law enforcement, named in a warrant, or believes they are being recorded or surveilled in connection with a homicide investigation, you need seasoned counsel immediately. The Baez Law Firm defends the toughest cases in Orlando, Miami, Tampa, and across Florida and the United States.

Our team understands how to push back against wiretaps, challenge the State’s narrative, and protect your rights at every stage. Speak with an experienced Orlando homicide lawyer today for a confidential consultation.

Source:

Associated Press coverage of the verdict, charges, and October 14 case-management setting.

WCTV live blog confirming deliberation length, courtroom events, and the October 14 date.

People report describing the verdict and November 2023 arrest at Miami International Airport.

Florida Statutes § 782.04 (Murder), § 775.082 (Penalties), § 921.141 (Capital sentencing procedure).

Florida Statutes § 777.011 (Principal in the first degree); § 777.04(2)–(4) (Solicitation and conspiracy; ranking).

Case law recognizing no overt-act requirement for conspiracy under Florida law.