A Florida jury took just 17 minutes to convict Shantell Adkins of first-degree murder after he executed his wife in front of her parents, whom she had called for help during a heated argument over his suspected infidelity.
Key Takeaways
- Shantell Adkins was found guilty of first-degree murder for fatally shooting his wife, Shawntai Adkins, in the neck during a domestic dispute in Daytona Beach.
- The jury deliberated for only 17 minutes before reaching their verdict, reflecting the overwhelming evidence in the case.
- Shawntai’s parents witnessed the murder after she had called them to help de-escalate an argument sparked by accusations of infidelity.
- After killing his wife, Adkins threatened her parents before turning the gun on himself, sustaining a non-fatal shoulder wound.
- Adkins faces a mandatory life sentence without parole, with formal sentencing scheduled for June 23.
Swift Justice in a Domestic Murder Case
The October 19, 2023,’ murder of Shawntai Adkins resulted in one of the fastest murder trial deliberations in recent Florida history. After hearing the evidence against Shantell Adkins, a Daytona Beach jury needed just 17 minutes to return a guilty verdict for first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault. The swiftness of the decision underscores the clear-cut nature of the evidence presented by Assistant State Attorney Andrew Urbanak, who successfully demonstrated Adkins’ premeditated intent to kill his wife during a domestic dispute that spiraled tragically out of control.
“Adkins executed our victim in front of her parents and then threatened to do the same to them. Another domestic murder and another devastated family,” said State Attorney R.J. Larizza.
Parents Witness Daughter’s Murder
The fatal incident began when Shawntai discovered suspicious text messages on her husband’s phone, leading to accusations of infidelity. The situation escalated further when she confronted him about driving her motorcycle while intoxicated, despite his recent enrollment in alcohol abuse treatment. Sensing the danger of the situation, Shawntai made a desperate call to her parents for help in de-escalating the increasingly volatile argument. This decision would tragically place them in the position of witnessing their daughter’s murder when they arrived at the couple’s Daytona Beach home.
“It is every parent’s worst nightmare to lose a child,” stated State Attorney R.J. Larizza.
As Shawntai attempted to leave the residence with her parents, Shantell Adkins shot her in the neck, killing her instantly. In the chaos that followed, her father sustained a broken leg while fleeing from Adkins, who threatened to shoot both parents after murdering their daughter. Court records show that Shawntai was pronounced dead at the scene, while her father has since recovered from his physical injuries, though the emotional trauma of witnessing his daughter’s murder will undoubtedly persist.
Legal Consequences and Aftermath
Following the shooting, Adkins turned the weapon on himself, inflicting a non-fatal wound to his shoulder. Police found him in the front yard of the residence and transported him to a medical center for treatment before taking him into custody. The first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole in Florida, ensuring that Adkins will face severe consequences for his actions. Circuit Judge A. Kathleen McNeilly is scheduled to formally pronounce the sentence on June 23, though the outcome is predetermined by state law.
This case highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence, with the victim’s parents not only losing their daughter but also being forced to witness her execution. It also demonstrates how quickly domestic disputes can escalate to deadly violence, particularly when firearms and alcohol issues are involved. The swift verdict rendered by the jury sends a clear message about how seriously the justice system and community view such heinous domestic crimes, providing at least some measure of legal closure for Shawntai’s grieving family.
