Action News 5 - Memphis, TennesseeTeen enters not guilty plea in Memphis man's death

Teen enters not guilty plea in Memphis man's death

Posted: Updated:
William Marshall William Marshall
Samer Sakaan Samer Sakaan
MEMPHIS, TN -

(WMC-TV) - An 18-year-old charged with killing a Memphis man standing in his own driveway faced a judge Tuesday morning.

Samer Sakaan was told during his arraignment that he could face between three and 15 years in prison, if convicted.

Defense attorney Claiborne Ferguson entered a non guilty plea for Sakaan, saying his client is innocent of the charges.

"We can't talk about what he's saying, but we think the facts and evidence as they come out will indicate that he's not guilty of these charges," Ferguson said.

According to investigators, Sakaan's car hit neighbor William Marshall as Marshall was going to his mailbox.  Officers said Sakaan was driving on Walnut Bend Road when he tried to pass another car, but clipped the front of that car and ran into Marshall.

Sakaan told investigators that, before the crash, he had stayed up to 5:00 a.m. partying at Senses Night Club. The 18-year old said he had not been drinking, but police charged him with DUI and Vehicular Homicide.

"At 18 and being responsible for the death of somebody, it's really hard on anybody, and especially my client," Ferguson said.

Ferguson said his client is heartbroken about what happened to Marshall.

"He obviously understands the gravity of the situation and the fact that there is going to be a father than never goes back home," he said.

William Marshall, 36, was father of two young sons whose their mother is dying of cancer.

Sakaan is currently out on bond, and will appear in court again in late June.

Copyright 2011 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.