A late-night argument outside a bar in Memphis has now turned into a high-profile murder case. A woman named Samantha Marion is facing serious charges for allegedly shooting and killing well-known local pastor Ricky Floyd. But her lawyers say she acted only to save herself.
What Happened the Night Pastor Floyd Died
On March 12, 42-year-old Samantha Marion and 58-year-old Pastor Ricky Floyd got into an argument outside Momma’s Bar in Memphis. Reports say the disagreement was about religion and quickly turned heated. At some point, Floyd drove away, but later came back and approached Marion again.
Marion’s lawyer claims that she felt threatened when Floyd returned and started walking toward her in an aggressive way. In a video recorded on her phone, she is heard warning Floyd to stop several times. Her defense team argues that she acted in self-defense because she feared for her life.
How the Case Got More Serious
Initially, Marion was charged with voluntary manslaughter. But things took a more serious turn on August 26, when a grand jury indicted her on more severe charges:
Second-degree murder
Using a gun with intent to commit a felony
Reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon
So far, no trial date has been set, but Marion could be looking at many years in prison if found guilty.
What the Police and Prosecution Say
During a preliminary hearing in June, the main testimony came from Patrolman Cordell Boyd — the first officer on the scene. He said Marion’s claim of self-defense didn’t match what he saw.
According to him:
Marion had the chance to walk away from the argument.
Instead, she went back to her car, got a gun, and then shot Floyd.
Prosecutors also said that surveillance footage showed Floyd backing away from Marion right before she fired the gun. Other video evidence reportedly shows Floyd throwing beer cans and Marion’s phone during the incident.
What Marion’s Lawyers Are Arguing
John Keith Perry, Marion’s defense attorney, says she was simply trying to protect herself. He shared the cellphone video taken by Marion, where she clearly tells Floyd several times to back off. Perry argues that the full story is not being shown and that key details were left out of the arrest report.
“She defended herself when she was facing grave, grave danger,” Perry said, adding that he hopes the legal process will clear her name soon.
Still More Questions Than Answers
As of now, it’s unclear what exactly led to the deadly shooting. Both sides are sticking to their version of events, and the court will have to decide whether Marion was acting out of fear or whether she went too far.
This case has caught public attention not only because of the people involved—a respected pastor and an ordinary woman—but also because of the complex legal questions around self-defense. Until the trial begins, we may not get all the answers, but what’s clear is that one moment of conflict has changed two lives forever.
