Photo: Broward County Sheriff’s Office
Katherine Magbanua received a life sentence for the 2014 hitman killing of Florida State University law professorDan Markel.
At the time of his death, Markel was engaged in a contentious divorce and custody dispute with a woman named Wendi when he was shot execution-style in his Tallahassee garage. Wendi’s brother, Charlie Adelson, wasindicted in Aprilon charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation of murder, the Leon County State Attorney’s office confirmed to PEOPLE at the time.
Magbanua, Adelson’s former girlfriend, had already been charged in 2016. She was accused of introducing Adelson to Markel’s killers, Sigredo Garcia andLuis Rivera, who were previously convicted for Markel’s death in what is believed to be a murder-for-hire.
Dan Markel.
Orin Snyder and Matt Benjamin, who represent the victim’s parents Ruth and Phil Markel, tell PEOPLE in a statement, “Dan Markel was brutally murdered more than eight years ago. Today’s sentencing of Katharine Magbanua marks another important step toward accountability and justice.”
They added that they “are grateful for the efforts of law enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office in advancing the criminal case against Charles Adelson and in continuing to pursue all those responsible for Dan’s murder.”
On Friday, Magbanua, who will not have any chance of parole or probation, was also handed a 60-year sentence for conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation to commit murder. That sentence is to be served consecutively, Tallahassee’sABC27reports.
During the sentencing, Dan’s sister Shelly Markel shared an emotional statement.
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After being sentenced, Magbanua appeared to wipe her face with tissue,Law & Crimesays. A judge also granted Kawass' motion for Magbanua to have a public defender for an appeal.
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Assistant state attorney Georgia Cappleman wants Adelson’s trial to begin early next spring, per the outlet.
source: people.com
