Marion Co. Dist. Attorney’s Office – 03/18/23 10:03 AM
On March 16, 2023, Marion County Circuit Court Judge James Edmonds sentenced Antonio Soto, 34, to life in prison for the murder of Davontae Smith (40) and the attempted murder of Adrian Gonzales (22). Soto will serve a minimum of 45 years before he is eligible for release before the parole board.
Soto was convicted of Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm, Attempted Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm after a two-week jury trial held in Marion County Circuit Court from January 30 to February 10, 2023.
These crimes occurred in the early morning hours of June 8, 2021, at the Capital Inn and Suites in Marion County, Oregon. Smith and Gonzales attempted to intervene when they saw Soto assaulting a woman in the hallway of the hotel. Soto killed Smith, almost shot Gonzales in the head, and then fled the state.
Soto had been released from prison only 15 months prior to this murder and attempted murder after serving a prison sentence for Robbery in the First Degree.
The case was tried by Marion County Deputy District Attorneys Matthew Kemmy and Katharine Semple.
