The Florida Dental Matriarch’s Attempt to Flee to Vietnam

Donna Adelson, a 75-year-old Florida dentist and matriarch of a prominent family, made a shocking revelation in a Leon County court on Wednesday. Adelson, who is accused of orchestrating a 2014 murder-for-hire plot against her former son-in-law, disclosed that she and her husband, Harvey, had planned to flee the U.S. to seek "peace" in Vietnam before voluntarily turning themselves in. Adelson, who appeared in court wearing shackles and a purple jumpsuit, explained that the decision to leave the country was driven by their emotional distress following the arrest of their son, Dr. Charlie Adelson, who was convicted of first-degree murder in connection with the plot. She emphasized that she was not afraid of being arrested but wanted to escape the turmoil and "catch their breath" in a foreign country. The couple had purchased one-way tickets to Vietnam via Dubai, countries that do not have extradition treaties with the U.S.

Adelson’s Justification for Choosing Vietnam

Adelson defended her decision to flee, stating that Vietnam was chosen as their destination because of its reputation as "a place of peace." The couple had previously enjoyed vacations in the Southeast Asian country and believed it offered a refuge where they could avoid being detained in a foreign jail while waiting for extradition. Adelson claimed that her husband conceived the idea, reasoning that by going to a non-extradition country, they could avoid prolonged incarceration abroad. She recounted her husband’s words: "If we go to a non-extradition country, then if law enforcement decides they want to arrest you or me, we won’t be sitting in a foreign prison waiting months to go back." Adelson further explained that she believed they could return home and surrender voluntarily if needed, asserting that she was not attempting to evade justice.

The 2014 Murder of Dan Markel

The case against Adelson stems from the murder of Dan Markel, a law professor at Florida State University, who was fatally shot in the head in his Tallahassee garage in July 2014. Markel was embroiled in a contentious custody battle with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, who is Donna Adelson’s daughter. Wendi sought to move their two sons to South Florida, a decision Markel fiercely opposed. The murder remained unsolved for nearly a decade until the arrest of Dr. Charlie Adelson in April 2022. Charlie was convicted of first-degree murder and found to have orchestrated the killing by hiring assassins from the notorious Latin Kings gang.

The Role of the Latin Kings and Key Players

The investigation revealed that Sigfredo Garcia, a member of the Latin Kings, was the triggerman in Markel’s murder. Garcia was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the killing. His accomplice, Luis Rivera, also a gang member, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a 19-year sentence after cooperating with authorities. Rivera’s testimony implicated others involved in the plot, including Katie Magbanua, who was dating Charlie Adelson at the time of the murder. Magbanua was sentenced to life in prison for her involvement. The arrests and convictions of these individuals shed light on the intricate web of connections that led to Markel’s death, with Charlie Adelson at the center of the conspiracy.

Adelson’s Reaction to Her Son’s Conviction

Donna Adelson’s attempt to flee to Vietnam occurred just two weeks after her son Charlie’s conviction, which she described as a deeply traumatic event for both her and her husband. She admitted that they both wanted to "get away" to cope with the shock of their son’s involvement in such a heinous crime. Adelson acknowledged that she had consulted her attorneys, who informed her that there were no active warrants or charges against her or her husband at the time. Despite this, the couple decided to proceed with their plan to leave the country, knowing the potential risks. Adelson expressed her belief that fleeing was a way to find temporary solace before addressing the legal consequences of their situation.

Adelson’s Defense and the Charges Against Her

Adelson is currently charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation in connection with Markel’s death. Her defense hinges on her claim that she was not attempting to evade justice but rather seeking a temporary reprieve from the emotional turmoil caused by her son’s conviction. However, the couple’s decision to purchase one-way tickets to Vietnam, a country without an extradition treaty with the U.S., raised suspicions among law enforcement. Adelson and her husband were arrested at Miami International Airport in November 2023 as they prepared to board their flight. During her court appearance, Adelson insisted that she and her husband were not fugitives but were seeking a way to "catch their breath" before returning to face the legal system.

The case has brought into sharp focus the tangled family dynamics and the lengths to which individuals may go to protect their loved ones, even in the face of grave consequences. As the legal proceedings unfold, questions remain about the extent of Donna Adelson’s involvement in the murder plot and whether her actions constitute a desperate attempt to escape justice or a genuine quest for peace.