PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The man accused of killing Temple University student Sam Collington more than two years ago during an attempted carjacking was found guilty of third-degree murder on Tuesday in a bench trial.
Latif Williams, 19, hung his head in the Philadelphia courtroom as surveillance video from Nov. 28, 2021, played. Williams, age 17, is seen waiting outside a home on Park Avenue, just north of Temple's campus.
After a few minutes, Collington pulls up and parks his car. Williams sprints across the street — out of the camera's field of view. Six seconds later, a gunshot is heard. Next, Collington is seen chasing Williams back across the street and tackling him to the ground. Then, three more gunshots are heard, followed by the sound of Collington — who had been shot twice in the chest — groaning as he writhes in pain. Williams then runs off.
Prosecutors argued it was first-degree murder, possibly second-degree murder — a murder during a felony, in this case a robbery.
Defense attorney Marni Snyder argued it was self-defense, because Williams was running away.
"We wanted to show that there was not sufficient evidence for a felony to prove second-degree murder — that there is no indication that there was any interaction that rose to the level of a robbery," Snyder said.
Judge Scott O'Keefe found Williams guilty of third-degree murder and weapons charges. In a bench trial, a judge decides the verdict.
"He has been absolutely remorseful the entire time — his family, him, every step of the way," said O'Keefe's defense attorney Pat Link. "He was crying before he came out in the courtroom this morning — just can't believe the situation he finds himself in."
Sam Collington was a student at Temple University.courtesy of Collington family
Prosecutor Joanne Pescatore says Collington's parents still don't have justice.
"I think the victim in this case was a Temple student, just going back to school after Thanksgiving, and that is what happened to him," she said. "It's a sad day. A juvenile is convicted of murder."
Collington's family say they are gutted over Sam's murder.
"It is the worst pain any mother should have to go through, and I do not want any mother to have to experience this," said Collington's mother Molly.
The defendant's family said they are distraught that this happened, and they feel for the victim's family.
Williams is expected to be sentenced in May.
