A former Marine charged with second-degree murder has been convicted of a lesser charge in the death of a Florida Panhandle teen during a confrontation.

An Escambia County jury found 26-year-old Michael Davis guilty Thursday of manslaughter. The Pensacola News-Journal (http://on.pnj.com/U5qBF8) reports that his sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 15.

Authorities say Davis' friend, who had been drinking, got into an argument with a group of teenagers last year. At some point, Davis fired a shot toward the group, which was 142 feet away, and hit 16-year-old Alonzo Knight Jr.

A defense attorney argued that Davis was trying to defuse the situation, not actually meaning to hit anyone.