FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2008

PC man convicted, sentenced for murder
State Attorney Steve Meadows announces the conviction and sentence, in Bay County Circuit Court, of Antonio J. Smith on a charge of Manslaughter with a Firearm.

The three males, three females jury deliberated about 90 minutes before finding Smith, BM, DOB: 6-24-1976, Panama City, guilty of the May 18, 2007, shooting death of Deric Smith. Assistant State Attorney Mark Graham presented evidence in the three-day trial that Deric Smith, a 27 year old father of three, had attempted to purchase drugs from another individual when Antonio Smith intervened. Deric Smith, who was driving a vehicle, was shot once in the head. The passenger attempted to drive the vehicle away from the scene but wrecked.

Antonio Smith was most recently released from prison in July, 2006. He was determined to be a Habitual Felony Offender and a Prison Releasee Reoffender. Circuit Court Judge Dedee Costello sentenced Smith to 50 years in prison, the first 30 years of which must be served day-for-day.