Prosecutors on Tuesday were able to secure a first degree murder indictment against the South Florida woman believed to be the alleged mastermind behind the 2014 killing of a FSU law professor in Tallahassee.
31-year-old Katherine Magbanua, who was initially charged with second degree murder in the death of Dan Markel, is being held in the Leon County Jail after she was transferred there following her October 1st arrest in Broward County.
Officials from several police agencies testified against Magbanua in front of a grand jury. Jurors also heard testimony from Luis Rivera, one of the two men suspected of carrying out the murder for hire.
Investigators believe that Magbanua was the one who connected Rivera and Sigfredo Garcia with the family of Markel’s ex-wife, Wendi Adelson. Officials have tried to link the ex-wife’s brother and mother, Charlie and Donna Adelson, to the case - but so far no charges have been filed.
Rivera pled guilty to second degree murder last month and is currently serving a 19 year sentence. He told officials that Magbanua relayed information between both Garcia, himself and the Adelson family as they drove from Miami to Tallahassee to kill Markel in the garage of his home. She allegedly delivered a package to both men the day after the shooting with money as payment for the crime.
According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, police believe Magbanua had a romantic relationship with Charlie Adelson. She also has two children from a previous relationship with Garcia
