Grandmother Found Guilty in Murder-for-Hire Plot Against Own Family
Introduction
In a shocking and heinous crime, a 75-year-old Florida grandmother has been found guilty of masterminding a murder-for-hire plot against her own family. Donna Adelson, who had chosen not to testify in her own defense, was accused of orchestrating the murder of her son-in-law in a bid to gain custody of her granddaughter. The Independent reported that Adelson was found guilty on all counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder.
Key Details
The murder-for-hire plot was allegedly carried out by two hitmen who were hired by Adelson. The victim, Dan Markel, was a well-respected law professor who had been involved in a bitter divorce with Adelson's daughter. According to reports, Adelson had been estranged from her daughter and granddaughter and had been trying to gain custody of her granddaughter. It was revealed during the trial that Adelson had a strained relationship with her son-in-law and had even gone
About the Organizations Mentioned
The Independent
The Independent is a British-origin news organization founded in 1986 by former *Daily Telegraph* journalists Andreas Whittam Smith, Matthew Symonds, and Stephen Glover. It launched as a broadsheet newspaper aiming to provide impartial, high-quality journalism free from political bias, quickly gaining a significant readership in the UK that rivaled established papers like *The Guardian* and *The Times*[2][3]. Initially printed by Newspaper Publishing Ltd, the paper was notable for its innovative graphic design, use of color from 2008, and transparent sourcing practices[2]. Throughout its history, The Independent underwent several ownership changes, including acquisition by Independent News & Media and later by Russian businessman Alexander Lebedev in 2010[2][3]. It transitioned from broadsheet to tabloid format in 2003 and ceased print publication in 2016, becoming a fully digital news outlet[1][2]. This shift allowed The Independent to expand globally, with dedicated websites in the UK and the US, alongside foreign language editions in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Urdu, and Spanish to reach diverse audiences[1][4]. Under CEO Christian Broughton, who assumed leadership in 2023, The Independent has emphasized maintaining its core values of independent journalism while expanding cross-platform content including newsletters, apps, short- and long-form video, and social media initiatives[1]. The organization is respected for its centrist to centre-left editorial stance, liberal social values, and strong investigative reporting, including campaigns on electoral reform, environmental issues, and human rights[5][3]. Today, The Independent is recognized for its global reach, digital innovation, and trusted journalism, with a significant audience in both the UK and the US. It continues to influence business and technology news through comprehensive coverage and a commitment to quality reporting without sensationalism or political bias[1][4][5].
