By Cindy Saltzman
Today, Dan Markel’s former brother-in-law, Charlie Adelson, 47, was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy and solicitation in Dan Markel’s murder which took place on July 18, 2014. Professor Markel, who was considered a great legal mind, and a valued professor at Florida State University had just returned from taking his kids to preschool and going to the gym, when he was murdered. Markel was shot twice in the head at point-blank range in the garage of his Tallahassee home and died 14 hours later. He was 41.
The state’s case asserted that Adelson wanted Markel out of the way to end a tempestuous child custody fight with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, the defendant’s younger sister. In trial, it came out that Donna Adelson, Charlie and Wendi’s mother planned to enroll Dan’s children in a Catholic school and have them baptized just to anger Dan Markel who was more observant than the Adelson family.
In addition, the last name of Dan and Wendi’s two young son’s was changed to Adelson in 2016 after the first conspirators were arrested. Wendi stated that the name change was for their safety.
In addition to Charlie Adelson’s conviction, his ex girlfriend, Katie Magbanua, the father of her children Sigfredo Garcia, who pulled the trigger, and Luis Rivera, the leader of the Latin Kings gang who drove the getaway car have already been convicted and are in jail.
The other victims in this horrific murder of Dan Markel has been his two young sons, his sister, Shelly and his long suffering parents, Ruth and Phil Markel. Obviously this verdict will never bring Dan Markel back, but at least for tonight, the family has said they have some relief. They are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Ruth Markel just came out with her memoir, THE UNVEILING: A MOTHER’S REFLECTION ON MURDER, GRIEF AND TRIAL LIFE. It is available on her website ruthmarkel.com
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