KINGRALE COLLINS

DOB: November 15, 1975
Race: African American
Gender: Male

County of conviction: Cross
Number of counts: 1
Race of victim:
Gender of victim: Female
Date of crime: May 18, 1996
Date of sentencing: October 22, 1997

Trial Counsel:

Jim Miller
Jim Noblin

Current proceedings:

• On remand from Supreme Court for new Rule 37 motion, Case No. CR 05-71.

Last judicial decision:

• Finding that the procedures under Rule 37.5 were no followed, the Arkansas Supreme Court remanded the case to the circuit court for the appointment of a Rule 37.5 qualified attorney and for Collins to file a verified petition for post-conviction relief that complies with Rule 37.5.  Collins v. State, 365 Ark. 411, ___ S.W.3d ___, 2006 WL 564046 (Ark. 2006).
   
• Arkansas Supreme Court ordered Collins' attorneys to submit an abstract which meets the requirements within 30 days, December 15, 2005, Case No. CR-05-71.
   
• Rule 37 motion denied by Cross County Circuit Court, Case No. CR-96-99.

Current counsel:

Bill Luppen
210 State St.
Little Rock, AR 77201
501-376-0886

Chris Tarver
1401 W. Capitol Ave., # 490
Little Rock, AR 77201
501-375-7232

Reported Opinions:

• Finding that the procedures under Rule 37.5 were no followed, the Arkansas Supreme Court remanded the case to the circuit court for the appointment of a Rule 37.5 qualified attorney and for Collins to file a verified petition for post-conviction relief that complies with Rule 37.5.  Collins v. State, 365 Ark. 411, ___ S.W.3d ___, 2006 WL 564046 (Ark. 2006).
   
• Appeal from circuit court's denial of Rule 37 motion pending in the Arkansas Supreme Court, Case No. CR-05-71.  Collins v. State, ___ S.W.3d ___, 2005 WL 3436819 (Ark. Dec. 15, 2005)
   
• Sentence and conviction affirmed on direct appeal by Collins v. State, 991 S.W.2d 541 (Ark. 1999.)
   
• Appellate counsel ordered to show cause why he should not be held in contempt for failing to file brief by final extension deadline. Collins v. State, 983 S.W.2d 431 (Ark. 1999). Counsel held in contempt and fined $250. Collins v. State, 983 S.W.2d 960 (Ark. 1999).

Significant legal issues:

• trial court's refusal to change venue despite pervasive pretrial publicity
   
• breakdown of relationship between Mr. Collins and trial counsel, and refusal of trial court to appoint new counsel or allow the defense to proceed pro se
   
• In chambers, unrecorded meeting led to the prosecutor's in court announcement that the defense would not be cross examining a key prosecution witness, who had made exculpatory statements about the crime; namely, that she saw the defendant's brother holding a shotgun before the murder.
   
• Ineffective assistance of counsel for failing to introduce exculpatory evidence and do criminal history checks on state's witnesses.

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