A Florida dentist accused of hiring two hitmen to kill his sister's ex-husband in 2014 was found guilty of first-degree murder and two other charges by a jury on Nov. 6, 2023.
A Florida dentist on trial for the murder of his ex-brother-in-law was found guilty by a jury for a crime that took place over nine years ago. Charles 'Charlie' Adelson was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and solicitation to commit first-degree murder after he hired a pair of hitmen to kill prominent Florida State University law professor Daniel Markel.
Police learned that a Toyota Prius followed Markel not only into the parking lot of the fitness facility, but also trailed the Markel’s vehicle before and after his time in the gym. 'Investigators believe the suspects in the Prius followed the victim throughout the morning and back to this residence, where the victim was shot in the head as he sat in his car,' the affidavit states.
Under questioning last week, Adelson admitted that he paid the killers money after the fact, but said it was only because he was being threatened. The tie between Adelson and the killers was his ex-girlfriend, Magbanua, who came to Adelson’s home after the slaying and admitted her friend killed Markel. She then told Adelson he needed to pay more than $300,000 in 48 hours or be killed, too.
Prosecutors also contend that Magbanua hired Sigfredo Garcia, the father of her two children, to commit the murder and that Garcia enlisted the help of his childhood friend, Luis Rivera. Magbanua and Garcia were convicted of first-degree murder and Rivera is serving a 19-year sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for testifying against Garcia and Magbanua.
Adelson was remanded to custody and his sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 12. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jury convicts Florida dentist in murder-for-hire plot in 2014 slaying of law professorA jury has convicted a Florida dentist in a 2014 murder-for-hire plot in death of a law professor that followed a custody battle with a relative. The jurors signaled Monday in returning a verdict that they believed the prosecutors’ contention that Charles Adelson paid to have Florida State University professor Dan Markel killed.
Read more »
Likely human skull found in Halloween section of Florida thrift storeAn anthropologist shopping at a store in North Fort Myers on Saturday spotted what officials determined was probably a human skull.
Read more »
Human skull found in Halloween section of thrift store, Florida sheriff saysSpooky season is over, and many stores are clearing their Halloween decoration at a bargain. One Florida shopper found much more when encountering a human skull at a thrift store.
Read more »
Likely human skull found in Halloween section of Florida thrift storeThe NCAA is investigating Michigan for sending people to opponents’ games to record video that would be used to decode their in-game signals.
Read more »
Florida officials investigating after human skull found in thrift store's Halloween sectionInvestigators at the Lee County Sheriff's Office have confirmed that a skull found on display in a thrift store is of human origin.
Read more »
Grim discovery: Human skull found inside Florida thrift storeAn anthropologist, who was shopping at a Florida thrift store on Saturday, found what is believed to be a human skull, according to authorities.
Read more »