Jose Antonio Soto Escalera and victim

USA - Florida. Jury recommends death penalty for Jose Antonio Soto Escalera

September 25, 2025:

September 25, 2025 - Florida. Jury recommends death penalty for Jose Antonio Soto Escalera

In 2018 double murder of pregnant woman and unborn son

On September 25, a jury found all the factors needed for a death penalty against Jose Antonio Soto Escalera, in the killings of Tania Wise and her unborn son.

The jury voted 8–4 to recommend the death penalty for both murders. The next hearing is scheduled for October 6 at 1:30 p.m.

According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO), 7 years ago, on August 24, 2018, Wise’s body was found along Russo Road near Johnston Road in a rural area of St. Lucie County. A passerby found her lying face down and called 911 at about 10:51 a.m.

When she was found, deputies say she had blunt force trauma to the head and sharp force injuries to the neck. An autopsy later revealed that her throat had been slit.

The man who killed a pregnant woman and the unborn child they shared together was recommended for the death penalty. On Thursday, a had jury unanimously found all the factors needed for a death penalty against Jose Antonio Soto Escalera, in the killings Tania Wise and her unborn son. (SLCSO)

On September 21, 2018, Escalera was arrested in Port St. Lucie. Authorities were able to confirm through DNA testing that Escalera was the father of the unborn child.

https://cbs12.com/news/local/jury-advises-death-for-man-in-2018-double-murder-of-pregnant-woman-and-unborn-son-florida-september-25-2025