Drunk Driver Convicted at Trial
DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the DUI Unit obtained convictions against an impaired driver on Cedar Bluff Road. Michael Anthony Marcum, 54, was convicted of Driving Under the Influence and Driving on a Suspended License. Senior Judge Kelly Thomas set the case for sentencing on September 27.
In a two-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Caleb Smothers and Franklin Ammons explained to the jury that on August 2, 2022, at approximately 3:30 AM, Ofc. Denife Jones with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a vehicle driven by Marcum after he made an illegal U-turn across Cedar Bluff Road and was unable to maintain his lane as he traveled up the entrance ramp to I-40. Upon contact with Marcum, officers could smell alcohol, and Marcum admitted to drinking two beers. Marcum was unsteady on his feet and failed field sobriety tests. Marcum later stated that he drank only three beers. After being read the Tennessee implied consent law, Marcum refused to submit to a blood alcohol test and was taken to jail.
“We enforce DUI laws to try to prevent the dangerous and often fatal wrecks caused by impaired driving,” said DA Allen.
The mandatory minimum for a DUI 1st Offense is forty-eight hours in jail, DUI School, and a license revocation of one year. The jury assessed fines totaling $1,425. Marcum has two prior felony convictions for Fraud and Extortion plus instances out of South Carolina where he also refused to submit to alcohol testing. Because of these previous issues, prosecutors will argue for an enhanced sentence. Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Brittany Wilhelmson aided in the prosecution of this case.
If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.