Florida State University law professor Daniel Markel was murdered in his driveway. Florida State University law professor Daniel Markel was murdered in his driveway.

A Miami man accused of murdering Florida State University law professor Dan Markel in 2014 was found guilty of first-degree murder Friday after a three-week trial and 11 hours of deliberation from a Leon County jury.

Sigfredo Garcia shot Markel twice in the driveway of Markel's Tallahassee home, in what prosecutors argued was a murder-for-hire arranged by co-defendant Katherine Magbanua.

Leon Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson declared a mistrial in Magbanua's case after jurors failed to reach a consensus on her fate.

Garcia's lawyer Saam Zangeneh and did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday.

Magbanua's attorneys Christopher DeCoste, Tara Kawass and Kristen Kawass said in an emailed statement: "The government mounted their strongest attack and Katherine Magbanua remains innocent."

Magbanua protested her innocence on the stand, claiming she knew nothing of the killing while explaining what prosecutors contended was a suspiciously timed bank deposit that implicated her in the murder.

Testimony from Garcia's confessed accomplice Luis Rivera, a high-ranking member of the Latin Kings street gang, revealed that Garcia and Rivera drove from Miami to Tallahassee—allegedly paid $100,000 by Charlie and Donna Adelson, the brother and mother of Markel's ex-wife, Wendi Adelson. Prosecutors argued the murder stemmed from a custody battle, as Wendi Adelson wanted to move their children to South Florida after the couple's divorce.

However, no Adelson family members have been charged, and all deny any connection to the murder.

Meanwhile, Garcia's defense attorney, Zangeneh, pointed the finger at the confessed accomplice, Rivera, whom he claimed lacked credibility.

Garcia faces the death penalty. His sentencing phase will begin Monday.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher partners Orin Snyder and Matthew Benjamin represent Markel's parents Ruth and Phil Markel, who said they were relieved that at least one person responsible for his murder was convicted.

"Yet justice was only partially served," the statement said. "In light of the mountain of evidence presented by the State Attorney's Office, we are confident Katherine Magbanua will be re-tried and convicted. As all who followed this trial know, there is more work to be done to ensure that everyone responsible for Danny's murder is held accountable. Until that day comes, we will continue to fight for complete justice and to be reunited with our grandchildren, Danny's two young boys, whom we love and miss dearly."

Read more: 

Florida Jury Will Decide the Fates of Law Prof's Accused Killers

Prosecution Rests in FSU Law Professor Murder Trial