Deonza McClinton to serve life for murder

A Shreveport man found guilty of murder July 22 was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday, August 12, 2026. 

Caddo District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr. meted out the mandatory sentence to Deonza McClinton, 32, for the June 4, 2024 slaying of Billy Ray Doyle, 41, at a Linwood Avenue convenience store.

McClinton and a codefendant ambushed Mr. Doyle at the In & Out convenience store in the 4300 block of Linwood. McClinton was armed with a 300 Blackout assault-style rifle, which evidence revealed was fired 22 times. Mr. Doyle suffered wounds to every internal organ in his body except his spleen, bladder and left kidney. Footage from area business security cameras, the Real Time Crime Center and License Plate Readers showed the shooters' vehicle in the vicinity, as well as the driver, the co-defendant. At the trial, the defense argued that the shooting was in self-defense, but that was rejected by the jury. 

McClinton's co-defendant will face trial in September.

McClinton was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Christopher S. Bowman and Chase Burgess. He was defended by Carlos Prudhomme. 

The case was docket No. 402378.

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