Mum in 'plot to kill son-in-law' claims she sits naked in cell, eats with hands
A mother-in-law charged in a shocking murder-for-hire plot to kill her daughter's husband claims she is held naked in a prison cell in cruel conditions and is being forced to eat with her hands.
Lawyers representing Donna Adelson, a 73-year-old Florida woman charged with murder and related offences in the 2014 fatal shooting of her former son-in-law, have filed an emergency motion claiming that she is enduring "cruel and unusual punishment" while in custody. The motion, filed by Adelson's attorney, Marissel Descalzo, outlines a series of disturbing allegations against the jail staff.
Descalzo asserted that Adelson is being subjected to degrading conditions, including being forced to sit naked and eat with her hands in a cramped solitary cell. Furthermore, the motion accuses jail staff of withholding medication from Adelson and denying her basic hygiene, leaving her without a shower for days. The crux of Descalzo's argument is that these alleged mistreatments violate Adelson's Sixth Amendment rights, impeding her ability to communicate with her legal representation and actively participate in her defence.
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Dan Markel, a dad-of-two, was shot as he sat in his car outside his home (ABC)In response to these grave allegations, Descalzo has formally requested the court to consider releasing Adelson on house arrest or, alternatively, to compel the jail to enhance her living conditions. The motion also proposes an alternative solution, suggesting a psychological evaluation for Adelson and potentially relocating her to a different unit.
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The Leon County Sheriff’s Office, responsible for the detention facility, has responded, emphasizing their commitment to the care, custody, and control of all individuals within their facility. A spokesperson stated that they take these matters seriously. A hearing to address these concerning allegations is scheduled for Monday, as confirmed by Descalzo. Descalzo told CNN the evidence against her client is "circumstantial at best," adding, "there is a presumption of innocence in this country. Donna is entitled to a fair trial."
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Adelson was apprehended on November 13 while attempting to board a flight to Vietnam with her husband at Miami International Airport. The charges against her include first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation in connection to the alleged murder-for-hire killing of Florida State University law professor Dan Markel, her former son-in-law.
Charles Adelson, her son and a South Florida dentist, had been convicted of Markel's murder a week before Donna Adelson's arrest. Markel, the victim, had been involved in a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife, lawyer Wendi Adelson, and had gotten a court order barring her move from Tallahassee back to South Florida with their two young sons. Authorities say the Adelsons considered offering Markel $1 million to let his ex-wife and sons move, but then Charlie Adelson and other members of the family began plotting his death through a girlfriend of Charles Adelson, Katie Magbanua.
Luis Rivera is serving a 19-year sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for testifying (Federal Bureau of Prisons)
Sigfredo Garcia was convicted of first-degree murder (Leon county dc)During his trial, it was shown that Charlie Adelson paid Magbanua $138,000, which she split with the killers, and the family then gave her a no-show job at their dental practice and other payments totalling more than $56,000. Charlie Adelson also gave her a used Lexus. Wendi Adelson and her father, dentist Harvey Adelson, have not been charged, but Campbell said the investigation remains open. They have denied involvement.
Markel was shot while parking in his garage after he dropped his sons off at daycare and visited the gym. The Adelsons immediately became suspects in Markel's slaying after Wendi Adelson told detectives that the killing could have been arranged on her behalf, saying her parents were “very angry at Markel.” She told them that her brother had joked about hiring a hit man to kill Markel as a divorce gift, but he bought her a TV instead.
Charlie Adelson looks at jurors in a Tallahassee court (AP)Magbanua and her ex-boyfriend, Sigfredo Garcia, are serving life sentences after being convicted earlier of first-degree murder. His friend, Luis Rivera, is serving a 19-year sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder and testifying against the others.
Still, the investigation involving local and state agencies and the FBI proceeded slowly. Investigators were able to track phone records showing numerous calls between Charlie Adelson and Magbanua, her and the killers and Charlie Adelson, his mother and his sister in the hours before and shortly after the killing as well as large monetary transactions between the family and Magbanua. Garcia and Rivera were then linked to a rented Toyota Prius the killers used.
In 2016, an FBI agent, impersonating an extortionist, approached Donna Adelson outside her home and demanded $5,000. The ruse had been concocted in hopes that it would trigger a reaction from the Adelsons. She contacted her son, telling him they needed to discuss “some paperwork” and that “you probably have a general idea what I'm talking about.” They led to several calls and meetings between her and her son.
Dan Markel was shot as he sat in his car outside his house (Florida state University)
Donna Adelson was charged with murder and related offences in the 2014 fatal shooting of her former son-in-law (AP)Charlie Adelson was arrested last year after technicians enhanced a recording made of him and Magbanua inside a Mexican restaurant in 2016 while they were under surveillance discussing the extortion attempt. In the conversation, Adelson told Magbanua that she would need to meet with the extortionist and agree to a one-time payment. He also told her he wasn't worried about being arrested, but if he thought police had any evidence proving the family orchestrated the slaying, “we would have already gone to the airport.”
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