Jury Begins Deliberations in Donna Adelson Murder Trial

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Jurors on Thursday began deliberating the fate of 75-year-old Donna Adelson, accused of orchestrating the 2014 murder of her former son-in-law, Florida State University law professor Dan Markel.

After more than two weeks of testimony, both sides rested and delivered closing arguments Thursday afternoon. Prosecutors portrayed Adelson as the “calculated and controlling matriarch” who used her son to funnel payments to hitmen, arguing that wiretaps, financial records and witness testimony “link the conspirators like train cars.” Defense attorney Jackie Fulford countered that Adelson was merely a meddling grandmother with no proof tying her to the plot, insisting “not a single piece of evidence” connects her to the killing.

Earlier in the day, Judge Stephen Everett twice paused proceedings and threatened contempt before Adelson formally declined to testify, ending the defense case without her taking the stand. Adelson faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy and solicitation; if convicted, she could spend the rest of her life in prison. Deliberations are expected to continue into the weekend.