(NewsNation) — Newly released body camera footage has revealed some of the demands being made by Donna and Charlie Adelson while in jail for murder.
Donna Adelson, 75, was the fifth person convicted in a 2014 murder-for-hire plot targeting her son-in-law, Dan Markel. Markel, 41, was a professor at Florida State University and the father of Donna Adelson’s two grandchildren.
Charlie Adelson, Donna’s son, was convicted in 2023 and is serving life in prison. Three other people were found guilty in the case, including Charlie Adelson’s ex-girlfriend.
Footage obtained by Pretty Lies and Alibis is shedding new light on Charlie and Donna Adelson’s life behind bars after their convictions.
‘Entitled, privileged brat’
In body camera footage, Charlie Adelson is seen berating jail staff over an injured big toe. He complains that a corrections office hit his toe while opening the door to his cell, then insists on speaking to higher-ranking officials rather than dealing directly with the corrections officer.
Additional footage showed Donna Adelson, who typically appeared confident and composed, visibly upset and arguing with jail staff about procedures after being convicted.
„That was a sight of an entitled, privileged brat,“ Melba Pearson, a criminal law attorney, told CourtTV of Charlie’s jailhouse behavior.
„This is not unexpected for me because he thinks he’s still at the Ritz, living his best life out of custody. But the reality is, he’s going to have to adapt. He’s not going to get special treatment. He is not special,“ she said.
„His wealth means nothing there. He needs to sit down, learn some respect and learn some humility. He’s going to learn that lesson one way or the other.“
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In body camera footage, Charlie Adelson is seen berating jail staff over an injured big toe. He complains that a corrections office hit his toe while opening the door to his cell, then insists on speaking to higher-ranking officials rather than dealing directly with the corrections officer. (Pretty Lies and Alibis/YouTube) -
In body camera footage, Charlie Adelson is seen berating jail staff over an injured big toe. He complains that a corrections office hit his toe while opening the door to his cell, then insists on speaking to higher-ranking officials rather than dealing directly with the corrections officer. (Pretty Lies and Alibis/YouTube) -
In body camera footage, Donna Adelson is seen smiling and laughing as she’s wheeled into court. (Pretty Lies and Alibis/YouTube) -
In body camera footage, Donna Adelson is seen looking frustrated as she is wheeled back to jail after her conviction in a murder-for-hire plot. (Pretty Lies and Alibis/YouTube)
Donna and Charlie Adelson convicted of murder
Donna Adelson was convicted last month of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation of murder.
Her son-in-law, Markel, was found dead with two gunshot wounds to the head inside his car in the garage of his home on July 18, 2014. Markel was locked in a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife and Donna’s daughter, Wendi Adelson.
Prosecutors said Donna Adelson helped orchestrate Markel’s killing because he stood in the way of her daughter and young grandsons making a move south to be closer to Donna.
Wendi Adelson denied involvement in the killing and has not been charged with a crime.
Charlie Adelson was convicted in November 2023 of first-degree murder, conspiracy and solicitation in Markel’s death. Charlie Adelson’s ex-girlfriend, Katherine Magbanua, is also serving a life sentence.
Prosecutors said Magbanua served as the go-between for two men hired to carry out the killing: Sigfredo Garcia, who was sentenced to life in prison, and Luis Rivera, who is serving a 19-year sentence after cooperating with the state.
