Escambia man found guilty of killing during drug deal
A jury convicted Antonio Marshone DeSoto of second-degree murder in the February 2025 death of Charles Black on McDavid's Main Street.
By Sarah Montgomery ·
An Escambia County jury convicted Antonio Marshone DeSoto of second-degree murder on Thursday, finding him guilty of killing Charles Black during a February 2025 shooting.
The jury returned its verdict after less than two hours of deliberation. DeSoto, who is now 26, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for December 4.
Prosecutors argued that DeSoto shot Black during a marijuana transaction. Investigators found a bag of marijuana and a Taurus firearm at a nearby residence during the investigation.
The fatal incident occurred on the night of February 18, 2025, around 8:40 p.m. First responders found Black lying in Main Street directly in front of the McDavid Post Office, just east of Highway 29. He suffered two gunshot wounds and was located near the driver's door of his stopped Chevrolet SUV.
Before losing consciousness, Black called 911 and identified DeSoto as the shooter. He also named DeSoto to Deputy Skyler Donnell, the first officer on the scene. Escambia County EMS treated Black at the McDavid Fire Station before a Medstar AirCare helicopter airlifted him to a Pensacola hospital. Black died later that night.
Deputies received a tip that DeSoto had fled to a home in the 100 block of Highway 164, roughly half a mile west of the shooting scene. The resident told investigators she had let DeSoto stay in a room. Officers arrested him outside the residence.
DeSoto initially told investigators he fired in fear. The jury rejected that defense. He remains in the Escambia County Jail awaiting sentencing.
