Donna Adelson, the 75-year-old matriarch of a wealthy South Florida family, has been sentenced to life in prison for orchestrating the 2014 murder-for-hire of her former son-in-law, Florida State University law professor Daniel Markel.

Prosecutors said Adelson arranged the killing amid her daughter Wendi Adelson’s bitter custody battle with Markel. He was shot outside his Tallahassee home nearly a decade ago.

Last month, a jury found Donna Adelson guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation after a highly publicized trial. On Monday, she received a life sentence without parole for the murder, plus an additional 30 years for the other charges, to be served consecutively. Adelson plans to appeal.

In an emotional courtroom statement, Adelson insisted she was innocent, claiming she had been unfairly convicted.
“What happened to Danny is unforgivable. But I am an innocent woman convicted of this terrible crime without evidence,” she said. “I’ve always respected the law. I’ve never gotten a parking ticket. But I’m going to prison for a murder I did not commit.”

Judge Stephen Everett interrupted several times, saying her comments reflected an “utter lack of remorse.” He stood firm as he delivered the sentence, saying, “You certainly can choose to deny your involvement and maintain innocence. The court finds the evidence in this case is clear.”

The case — filled with tales of wealth, control, and family dysfunction — has gripped Florida for more than a decade. Donna Adelson is the fifth person convicted in connection with Markel’s death, joining her son Charles Adelson, who is also serving a life sentence.

Prosecutors portrayed her as a manipulative family leader who “hated” her former son-in-law and wanted him out of the picture. The defense countered that the state lacked hard evidence linking her to the crime and suggested others in the family may have been involved.

Wendi Adelson, Markel’s ex-wife, has repeatedly denied any role in the murder and has not been charged