CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A judge has set an Aug. 17 trial date for a teen accused of fatally shooting a young man in the head at point-blank range as he begged for his life last year.

Phillip Sam faces a charge of first-degree murder and 12 counts of aggravated assault. He has pleaded not guilty.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports that Sam is being tried as an adult.

Sam is accused of killing 19-year-old Tyler Burns. Sam was 16 years old at the time.

Police say the shooting occurred Oct. 5 during a pre-arranged fight between Sam and another person. They say Sam fired without warning into the group of teens, wounding Burns.

Witnesses told police that Sam then walked up to Burns, who begged for his life, and shot him again.

 

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