Magbanua found guilty in murder for hire of Dan Markel

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - The jury in Katherine Magbanua’s retrial has reached a verdict, finding her guilty as charged of murder, conspiracy, and solicitation in the 2014 murder for hire of FSU professor Dan Markel.

The jury started deliberating just before 1 o’clock Friday afternoon and deliberated for 8 hours before reaching a verdict.

Magbanua could face life in prison for murder and up to 30 years in prison for conspiracy and solicitation.

Her first trial in 2019 ended with a hung jury and mistrial.

Magbanua is the third person convicted in the murder for hire plot.

Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera are already serving prison sentences and Charlie Adelson, who was just arrested last month, is awaiting trial.

As soon as the verdict was read aloud in court, Magbanua and her defense team started weeping.

Lead Prosecutor Georgia Cappleman hugged the surviving family members of Markel.

“[It was] very thrilling and gratifying to get some justice for Dan’s family. They’ve been through hell and back,” she said.

State Attorney Jack Campbell said he was “vey proud” of his team, and said it was one of the most complicated cases his office has ever prosecuted.

“There’s never been a case that had more resources brought to bare in my time in 22 years working at this,” he said.

Late Friday night, attorneys Orin Snyder and Matt Benjamin, partners at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP, released a statement on behalf of Ruth and Phil Markel:

“The jury’s conviction of Katherine Magbanua is another important step forward on the path to justice. It has been almost eight years since Danny was brutally murdered in cold blood, and it has taken a tremendous effort to get to this point. We are extremely grateful for the tireless commitment of law enforcement and the Leon County State’s Attorney’s Office. We also want to express our appreciation to the jurors for their service. Finally, we are so thankful for the support and encouragement we have received from friends and family around the world and, in particular, from the Tallahassee community that has embraced us and helped to bring about justice.

As all who followed the trial know, there is more work ahead to ensure that each and every person responsible for Danny’s barbaric murder is brought to justice and held accountable. Until that day, we will continue to fight for complete justice and to spend time with with our grandchildren, Danny’s two young boys, whom we love and miss dearly.”