Court TV’s top verdicts of 2025
From Karen Read's high-stakes retrial to the sprawling Adelson family murder-for-hire plot, 2025 featured shocking verdicts across the country. More
December 20, 2025
Donna Adelson
Donna Adelson was found guilty on all counts related to the 2014 murder of her former son-in-law, FSU law professor Dan Markel. She plotted his death along with her son, Charlie. Mother and son were both convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and solicitation to commit first-degree murder. Charlie was convicted in 2023. Donna was convicted in 2025.
‘Jailhouse daughter’ reveals Donna Adelson’s struggles behind bars
Drina Bernhardt, known as Donna Adelson's 'jail daughter,' opened up about what the convicted killer had to say behind bars. More
November 6, 2025
Donna Adelson files notice of appeal for conviction and sentencing
Donna Adelson has filed a notice that she is appealing pretrial and evidentiary rulings as well as her guilty verdict and life sentence. More
November 5, 2025
Markel family responds to Donna Adelson’s ‘disrespectful and delusional statements’
Dan Markel's parents are firing back at statements made by Harvey and Donna Adelson during Donna's murder sentencing. More
October 17, 2025
‘This is a raising of grievances’: Judge interrupts Donna Adelson
UPDATE: Judge Stephen Everett sentenced Donna Adelson to life in prison without the possibility of parole, to be followed by 30 years. More
October 13, 2025
Body camera footage reveals Adelson family’s behavior behind bars
Newly released video shows Charlie Adelson demanding to speak to an officer's supervisor and Donna Adelson in tears. More
October 7, 2025
Donna Adelson’s motion for new trial blaming judge, jurors is denied
Attorneys for Donna Adelson asked a judge for permission to interview two jurors while accusing him of favoring the prosecution. More
September 26, 2025
Juror reveals evidence that led to Donna Adelson’s murder conviction
A juror who convicted Donna Adelson in the murder-for-hire of her former son-in-law pointed to testimony from her own son as key in the case. More
September 11, 2025
Charlie Adelson all smiles during transport for mother’s murder trial
Newly released video shows convicted killer Charlie Adelson in a surprisingly good mood during transport for his mother's murder trial. More
September 10, 2025
‘I stayed neutral’: Donna Adelson juror discusses verdict
The foreperson of the jury that convicted Donna Adelson took to social media to talk about her experience during the murder trial. More
September 9, 2025
FL v. Donna Adelson: Matriarch Mastermind Murder Trial
UPDATE: Donna Adelson, the Florida grandmother accused of orchestrating the 2014 killing of Dan Markel, has been found guilty on all counts. More
September 5, 2025
Jury convicts Donna Adelson in murder-for-hire killing of Dan Markel
The jury was then taken out of the courtroom when Donna Adelson reacted to the verdict. The judge gave Adelson a break to collect herself. More
September 5, 2025
Attorney testifies Dan Markel’s post-divorce filings were hostile
An attorney acknowledged that while the initial divorce proceedings were not contentious, Dan Markel's post-divorce filings were hostile. More
September 3, 2025
Family drama takes center stage at Donna Adelson’s murder trial
Two of Donna Adelson's children, Robert and Wendi, testified against her, describing her as controlling and hating Dan Markel. More
August 30, 2025
Jailhouse informants testify Donna Adelson confessed, tried to buy false testimony
Two inmates who were housed with Donna Adelson testified that she asked them to lie about Katherine Magbanua in exchange for compensation. More
August 29, 2025
Wendi Adelson’s ex-boyfriend testifies about chilling hitman comment
Jeffrey Lacasse, who dated Wendi Adelson after her divorce, said she made a comment in confidence about hiring a hitman for Dan Markel. More
August 26, 2025
Wendi Adelson says Donna Adelson ‘micromanaged my life’
Wendi Adelson described her mother as heavily involved in her divorce from victim Dan Markel before his 2014 murder. More
August 25, 2025
State: Adelson offered ‘jail daughter’ money and drugs to lie under oath
State: Donna Adelson bribed inmates, including her "jail daughter," with money, housing, veneers and drugs to give false testimony. More
August 22, 2025
Inside the witness list for Donna Adelson’s murder trial
Donna Adelson's trial for the murder of Dan Markel has been postponed multiple times; catch up on details, key players, and witnesses. More
August 20, 2025
Wendi Adelson wins fight to quash defense subpoena for mom’s murder trial
UPDATE: One day before jury selection begins, Wendi Adelson successfully quashed a subpoena from her mother, Donna Adelson's defense. More
August 18, 2025
Donna Adelson fights to suppress evidence ahead of murder trial
Donna Adelson's attorneys asked a judge to suppress evidence related to a 'new' investigation involving jailhouse informants. More
August 7, 2025
Donna Adelson’s attorney responds to rumors of plea deal offer
Donna Adelson's attorneys have denied receiving a 'firm offer' from prosecutors amid reports that she turned down a plea deal. More
August 6, 2025
Donna Adelson seeks to limit testimony from investigators in murder trial
New motions filed by Donna Adelson's defense seek to limit testimony about phone calls, texts and emails in her murder trial. More
July 22, 2025
Donna Adelson in court for motions hearing ahead of August trial
Donna Adelson appeared in court Friday as her defense pushes for more discovery materials ahead of her murder trial. More
July 11, 2025
Donna Adelson’s expert cites Bryan Kohberger in bid to move trial
A media analysis expert who testified for Bryan Kohberger's defense says there has been extensive pretrial coverage of Donna Adelson. More
June 13, 2025
Tablets in Tallahassee: Why Donna Adelson is out of Leon County Jail
Donna Adelson is out of Leon County Jail after her lawyers argued a new policy regarding tablet access hindered her ability to prep for trial. More
June 9, 2025
Jailhouse snitch says Donna Adelson offered to pay for witness testimony
Jailhouse informant alleges Donna Adelson offered to pay for witness testimony in her upcoming murder trial. More
June 4, 2025
New wiretaps, allegations of plots to harm in Adelson murder case
Donna Adelson denied plotting to harm her son and Katherine Magbanua in a new motion asking to redepose witnesses. More
May 9, 2025
Donna Adelson’s defense team wins another trial delay
Donna Adelson, charged with orchestrating the murder-for-hire of FSU professor Dan Markel, was granted a request to delay her trial. More
May 2, 2025
Donna Adelson wants storyline in daughter’s book excluded from trial
Donna Adelson has asked the court to exclude the storyline of daughter Wendi Adelson's book from her upcoming murder trial. More
March 27, 2025