A 75-year-old Florida woman's composure crumbled in a Tallahassee courtroom as she faced justice for orchestrating her former son-in-law's murder.

According to the New York Post, Donna Adelson was found guilty of masterminding the 2014 murder-for-hire plot that led to the death of Florida State University law professor Dan Markel. Judge Stephen Everett had to reprimand Adelson after she repeatedly cried out "Oh my God!" and displayed emotional outbursts during the verdict reading.

The judge ordered the jury to leave the courtroom as Adelson continued her emotional display. He warned her that further disruptions would result in her removal from the proceedings, giving her two minutes to regain her composure.

Family Feud Turns Fatal in Custody Battle

The prosecution successfully argued that Adelson's hatred for her former son-in-law motivated the brutal killing. The victim, Dan Markel, was embroiled in a heated custody dispute with Adelson's daughter Wendi at the time of his death.

A judge had previously blocked Wendi's attempt to relocate 370 miles away to South Florida with the couple's two sons. This custody ruling became a crucial point of contention that prosecutors say pushed Adelson to take drastic measures.

The murder plot involved multiple family members and hired criminals working in concert. Adelson's son, Dr. Charlie Adelson, and his then-girlfriend Katherine Magbanua recruited two Latin Kings gang members to carry out the assassination.

Complex Criminal Network Exposed

The hired killers, Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera, stalked Markel on July 18, 2014, before following him home. Garcia, identified as the triggerman, shot Markel in the head inside his garage.

Rivera accepted a plea deal and received a 19-year sentence for his role in the murder. Garcia was convicted as the shooter and is now serving a life sentence.

Both Charlie Adelson and Katherine Magbanua were found guilty in separate trials and received life sentences. The convictions highlighted the extensive network involved in planning and executing the murder.

Justice Delayed but Not Denied

Donna Adelson managed to avoid arrest for nearly a decade after the murder. Her attempt to flee to Vietnam in November 2023 finally led to her capture at Miami International Airport.

The elderly matriarch claimed she would have cooperated with authorities if they were looking for her. However, her choice of Vietnam, which has no extradition treaty with the United States, suggested otherwise.

Ruth Markel, the victim's mother, delivered an emotional impact statement, describing the "unimaginable pain and heartbreak" her family has endured. The loss of her son at age 41 left an irreplaceable void in their lives.

Final Chapter in Long-Running Murder Case

The prosecution painted Adelson as a controlling matriarch who wielded significant influence over her affluent South Florida family. Her defense team attempted to shift blame to her adult children, but the jury remained unconvinced.

The verdict represents the culmination of a complex investigation that spanned more than a decade. Prosecutors successfully demonstrated how Adelson used her family's resources and connections to orchestrate the murder of her former son-in-law.

The case has permanently altered the reputation of the once-respected dental family, with multiple members now serving life sentences. Adelson's sentencing has been temporarily delayed as her attorneys seek accommodations similar to those granted to her son in 2023.