EXCLUSIVE: Charlie Adelson Speaks Out From Behind Bars After Mother's Conviction

In a Shakespearean family tragedy that continues to play out on the world stage, one of the key players has spoken out. Less than 24 hours after the conviction of Donna Adelson,75, her son also convicted of the murder of Dan Markel has completed a phone interview.

The murder convictions of both of the Adelson family members, revolves around the 2014 murder of FSU Law Professor Dan Markel. The Toronto native was once married to Charlie's sister attorney Wendi Adelson. The two were embroiled in a custody battle of their two young

sons around the time of the July 18th, 2014 murder for hire. The troubled marriage lasted less than six years, and involved claims of theft, lying, manipulations, religious differences, a very domineering mother in law, and family dysfunction at it's highest level.

There were no arrests made for two years, and the first batch of arrests involved the two hired hitmen, Louis Rivera and Sigfredo Garcia both of Miami, Florida. Charlie's

ex girlfriend Katie Magbanua, at the behset of Charlie hired the father of her two children Garcia and his childhood friend Rivera to carry out the murder for hire.

Markel, who was 41 at the time of the murder, was sitting in his car talking on his cellphone when Garcia shot him twice in his head. He died the next day in a Tallahassee hospital.

Charlie Adelson who will be 49 next month was also convicted of the murder on November 6th, 2023. He was arrested in April of 2022 at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has been behind bars since.

There is some dispute about the amount of money that was paid to the two hitmen and Charlie's ex girlfriend. Most accounts are that it was over 100K to be split three ways, and continued monthly payments for two years to Katie from the Adelson family.

Charlie also lavished gifts and money on Katie in the two years following the 2014 murder. Donna Adelson,75, and her husband retired dentist Harvey Adelson, 81,

were on their way to Vietnam with one way tickets from Miami on November 14th 2023. Law Enforcement found out about the plane ticket purchase and were

at Miami International Airport waiting for the couple. Donna Adelson was arrested at the gate before Harvey and Donna were able to board the plane. There was no arrest warrant for Harvey so only Donna was arrested and taken into custody.

Donna was convicted of first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation to commit murder. She will be sentenced to life without parole, which is

a mandatory sentence for first degree murder in Florida. The jury came back with a guilty verdict in less than four hours.

Charlie Adelson said by phone on Friday September 5th, that 'after what I went through with my trial, I knew my mom had no chance. But to hear it in simple terms, it's over and it's done, was extremely heartbreaking.'

Adelson was asked why he didn't testify for his mother, he responded with the following. 'I can be subpoenaed to testify, and transferred, but I have a standing appeal, and I can not testify for anyone at this time.'

Adelson has been serving his life without parole sentence in a prison in South Dakota. He was transported back to Florida last month ahead of his mother's trial, because he was on her witness list to testify.

Donna nor Charlie testified during the two week trial, which ended on September 4 2025 with her conviction on three felony counts, which is a death sentence for the 75 year old mother of 3 and granddmother of 5.

Charlie Adelson's son Roman is now 7 years old and being raised by his mother in North Carolina. Charlie says, 'my entire family has been destroyed and decimated, there is no coming back from any of this.'

Asked his feelings on his younger sister's fate, 'I know she is concerned, and being the responsible person she is, she is getting her affairs in order, and will do what she has to do to look out for Ben and Lincoln.'

Asked if he harboured any ill will for any of his family members, including Dr. Robert Adelson, Charlie's older brother, who did testify at his mother's trial. Charlie said, 'I love my son and my parents and my sister and I miss them all so much, much more

than sending them all positive thoughts, there is really nothing else I can do for them right now.' The Fort Lauderdale, Florida home where Adelson was arrested in 2022 sold for $1,125,000 to an Israeli American businessman in March of 2025.

Charlie's first round of appeals was denied in January of 2025, he still has a few appeal paths going forward, but Adelson knows anything he tries legally is a 'longshot and most likely will fail.'