Mark McDaniel of Memphis was found guilty by a DeSoto County jury of second-degree murder in connection with the 2022 shooting death of Christian Saulsberry, a football player from Southaven. Following a three-day trial, the verdict was rendered yesterday. After being struck by stray gunfire during a party in Walls, Mississippi, Saulsberry, who played for the CFL’s Edmonton Elks and graduated from Northpoint High School in 2015, passed away.
Prosecutors claimed that McDaniel was drunk and aggressive prior to the shooting, according to WREG. He was repeatedly kicked out of the gathering, which led to a physical altercation with the host. Saulsberry was just an innocent bystander with his back to the throng when McDaniel pulled a gun from his car and shot him, killing him.
“McDaniel’s violent actions were senseless, and the impact on Christian’s family is immeasurable,” Matthew Barton, the district attorney for DeSoto County, stated in a statement that became available to The Commercial Appeal. “Today’s verdict guarantees that justice has been served, even though nothing can erase the suffering endured by this family. Although the scar from the death of such a vibrant, young life will never completely heal, we hope that this provides some kind of closure.
Witnesses stated that Saulsberry was not involved in the initial altercation, which occurred during a birthday celebration and outfit reveal. According to Action News 5, Saulsberry was a person who had an influence on the field and off. In 2022, Saulsberry’s coach from middle school and his first two high school seasons, John Stevenson, recalled him as “a lot of explosion in a small package,” confirming the player’s promise and hard work in spite of the difficulties faced by smaller players.
McDaniel’s sentencing is scheduled for December 17.
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