GUILTY AR - Former State Senator, Linda Collins-Smith, 57, found dead, June 2019 *ARREST*

[fred&edna]

Judge denies O’Donnell’s request to drop capital murder charge
Dated June 12, 2020

O’Donnell is accused of killing former State Senator Linda Collins of Pocahontas last June.

Her attorneys had filed a series of motions, including prohibiting photographic evidence of the crime scene and the autopsy, as well as asking that the charge of capital murder be dismissed and the death penalty removed, claiming it was “cruel and unusual punishment.”

During Friday’s proceedings, the judge granted O’Donnell access to her counsel which her lawyers had claimed they had been unable to do in the last three months since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The judge also granted O’Donnell’s request to appear in all cases before the jury in civilian clothes and with no restraints on.



Rebecca O'Donnell gains little at hearing today in the Linda Collins murder case - Arkansas Times
Dated June 12, 2020

 

[Legally Bland]

I think I’m losing my mind. I know saw an article this morning about a hearing taking place today. Article said the investigation is almost complete, LE testifying today and trial is set for October. I can’t find it now I am looking for it! Has anyone else read about a hearing today?

Was it this one?

The sad and twisted tale that ended in the killing of a former state senator and businesswoman in northeastern Arkansas is about to become a little more clear.

After a year of near-silence in the case of Linda Collins-Smith, prosecutors and investigators are about to start explaining their version of what happened without witnesses along a quiet road in a town called Pocahontas.

“It’s an interesting case, a complicated case, a difficult case,” prosecutor Robert Dittrich told ABC News in a rare interview. “There are very few murders in my career that weren’t sad. And usually, it’s sad for both sides, both for the victim’s family and the defendant’s family.”

The trial is slated for October.

Hearings begin for suspect accused of killing former Arkansas state senator | MyCentralOregon.com

 

[Legally Bland]

Judge denies O’Donnell’s request to drop capital murder charge
Dated June 12, 2020

O’Donnell is accused of killing former State Senator Linda Collins of Pocahontas last June.

Her attorneys had filed a series of motions, including prohibiting photographic evidence of the crime scene and the autopsy, as well as asking that the charge of capital murder be dismissed and the death penalty removed, claiming it was “cruel and unusual punishment.”

During Friday’s proceedings, the judge granted O’Donnell access to her counsel which her lawyers had claimed they had been unable to do in the last three months since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The judge also granted O’Donnell’s request to appear in all cases before the jury in civilian clothes and with no restraints on.



Rebecca O'Donnell gains little at hearing today in the Linda Collins murder case - Arkansas Times
Dated June 12, 2020

Have they got the right pic in the top link? RO'D looks like she's aged about 20 years if that's her.

 

[fred&edna]

Have they got the right pic in the top link? RO'D looks like she's aged about 20 years if that's her.

IKR! I thought the same thing!?!

 

[trujac]

Have they got the right pic in the top link? RO'D looks like she's aged about 20 years if that's her.

The stress of being caged and not covering up the grey hair can really age one's physical appearance quickly--the prison food probably adds to the mix with poor nutrition also dulling a healthy look...

 

[trujac]

Was it this one?

The sad and twisted tale that ended in the killing of a former state senator and businesswoman in northeastern Arkansas is about to become a little more clear.

After a year of near-silence in the case of Linda Collins-Smith, prosecutors and investigators are about to start explaining their version of what happened without witnesses along a quiet road in a town called Pocahontas.

“It’s an interesting case, a complicated case, a difficult case,” prosecutor Robert Dittrich told ABC News in a rare interview. “There are very few murders in my career that weren’t sad. And usually, it’s sad for both sides, both for the victim’s family and the defendant’s family.”

The trial is slated for October.

Hearings begin for suspect accused of killing former Arkansas state senator | MyCentralOregon.com

I am really interested in hearing what the prosecutor's story is--what the details are surrounding why RO murdered LCS...since there has been no explanation other than greed and money. You would think a close friendship built on trust would somehow overcome money disputes without resulting in a heinous murder. However, TL's earlier comments when defending RO suggests that he too was starting to wonder if RO was a sociopath...which seems plausible now in light of her alleged attempts to get hits on several people. Maybe the simple truth is RO had for a long time thought about killing a few people, and finally lost control of her demons.

 

[oviedo]

Was it this one?

The sad and twisted tale that ended in the killing of a former state senator and businesswoman in northeastern Arkansas is about to become a little more clear.

After a year of near-silence in the case of Linda Collins-Smith, prosecutors and investigators are about to start explaining their version of what happened without witnesses along a quiet road in a town called Pocahontas.

“It’s an interesting case, a complicated case, a difficult case,” prosecutor Robert Dittrich told ABC News in a rare interview. “There are very few murders in my career that weren’t sad. And usually, it’s sad for both sides, both for the victim’s family and the defendant’s family.”

The trial is slated for October.

Hearings begin for suspect accused of killing former Arkansas state senator | MyCentralOregon.com

interesting that the photographs will not be shown. IMO

 

[trujac]

Here's the latest news on RO...not sure if folks here have seen it:
Rebecca O'Donnell back in court, lawyers plan death penalty trial | thv11.com

 

[MsArk]

Was it this one?

The sad and twisted tale that ended in the killing of a former state senator and businesswoman in northeastern Arkansas is about to become a little more clear.

After a year of near-silence in the case of Linda Collins-Smith, prosecutors and investigators are about to start explaining their version of what happened without witnesses along a quiet road in a town called Pocahontas.

“It’s an interesting case, a complicated case, a difficult case,” prosecutor Robert Dittrich told ABC News in a rare interview. “There are very few murders in my career that weren’t sad. And usually, it’s sad for both sides, both for the victim’s family and the defendant’s family.”

The trial is slated for October.

Hearings begin for suspect accused of killing former Arkansas state senator |MyCentralOregon.com

Yes! Thx for finding this article.

 

[trujac]

Yes! Thx for finding this article.

In this article the prosecutor states that RO murdered LCS over $15,000: “The pecuniary gain aspect is an allegation that $15,000 in gold had been stolen by Becky (O’Donnell) from Linda and various possible information about the motel we’re still trying to flesh out,” Dittrich said. “The $15,000 was money that was taken from the motel, we believe.”

That's amazing to me that RO would kill a close friend over $15,000. And, if she did steal the money, it is sad to think that some type of arrangement couldn't have been put together for RO to reimburse LCS.

 

[trujac]

What I find curious is the prosecutor in this case seeking the death penalty against RO--when the State of Arkansas doesn't seem to support the death penalty; currently there are no women on death row, and the State of Arkansas has put only 1 woman to death since 1855--that was in 2000, and the woman requested to be put to death. Unless Arkansas public sentiment towards capital punishment has changed radically since 2000, it seems like it would be a hard sell to get the jury to convict RO with a sentence of death, especially since RO and LCS were supposedly close friends and the weapon was a knife. IMO, either there is evidence of premeditation and RO causing undue suffering and pain in the commission of her crime, along with extensive coverup, or the prosecutor is trying use the death penalty as leverage to get a plea deal.
ARKANSAS EXECUTES ITS 1ST WOMAN IN 155 YEARS

 

[trujac]

I went to look at RO's The Affidavit For Warrant Of Arrest: Rebecca O'Donnell affidavit
One of the charges: 5-60-101 Abuse Of A Corpse...I sought further clarification on what constitutes abuse of a corpse, and found this unsettling article written by Katherine Ramsland Ph.D; she describes in detail what abuse of a corpse means:
Abuse of Corpse
Now, I am wondering what RO did to LCS after the slaying, and what was the reason for her doing it. It seems like a quantum leap to kill a friend over money and then abuse their corpse. It seems from Dr. Ramsland article that abuse of corpse usually entails sexual abuse...which really makes this case even harder for me to understand...

 

[Justanobody]

I just wanted to keep this on the table because I think more were involved and she is being used as a scapegoat. I'm not saying she didn't do it, I'm saying she had to have had help to move a body around like they claim I say she talked to her fiance at the least! almost 2 weeks without a word? That has to be BS! watch these videos and read the story in the description box!Character means everything! The ex-fiance statement made to ABC made sense."treated Linda like a sister" What relevance does this video

have in common with this video

?? read the description box My brother was interviewed by ABC!! here's the back story.

 

[trujac]

Hi Justanobody--thank you for your post. I had to go to youtube to understand more of the first video you uploaded.
I agree with you that there is a lot more to the murder of LCS. Do you have anymore insight that you can share? Hope you are doing well.

 

[Justanobody]

Do you have anymore insight that you can share? Hope you are doing well.

is there a way to DM?

 

[trujac]

is there a way to DM?

I just tried sending you a message...

 

[trujac]

Campaign aide admits to killing Arkansas Senator Linda Collins | Daily Mail Online

O’Donnell guilty plea: ‘I intentionally killed her, then hid the body'

 

[trujac]

Rebecca probably pleaded guilty to murdering Linda to keep the grisly details of the murder out of the public eye...and because the evidence against her was overwhelming. A very sad and bizarre case.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Rebecca probably pleaded guilty to murdering Linda to keep the grisly details of the murder out of the public eye...and because the evidence against her was overwhelming. A very sad and bizarre case.

So we won’t hear any more details? I can’t believe she thought she would get away with this. Sure didn’t expect the guilty plea.

 

[meanmaryjean]

Wow. Did not expect this.