Photo: Linda Collins
A number of key dates have been set in an order filed last week by Special Judge John Fogleman in the capital murder case of Rebecca O’Donnell. O’Donnell is accused in the June 2019 slaying of former Republican Sen. Linda Collins of Pocahontas.
The Arkansas Times reports all discovery evidence, including the state’s ground for aggravating circumstances to justify the death penalty, must be submitted by April 28.
On May 21, the court will hear defense arguments that the death penalty is unconstitutional. That same day, the court will hear arguments on whether parties agree or disagree with the unsealing of warrants, affidavits and warrant returns in the case. Very little of the underlying facts of the case are known, except Collins was believed fatally stabbed and left on the driveway of her home. Also, footage recovered from home security cameras led to the arrest of O’Donnell, a friend and campaign supporter of Collins over the years.
Other deadlines include a final pre-trial hearing Sept. 18. It will cover such matters as what questions the parties would like the judge to ask prospective jurors during the selection process. The trial is set in Pocahontas Oct. 19.
O’Donnell also faces charges filed subsequently in Jackson County alleging she tried to hire inmates at the jail where she was being held to kill various actors in the case and to destroy evidence. That case is set for trial in December.
Collins was elected to the Arkansas State Senate for District 19 in 2014. The district includes eastern Fulton County and all of Izard, Sharp, Independence and Randolph counties. She lost her re-election bid in 2018 to James Sturch of Batesville.
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