Robert Shannon Collins Jr. appeared for sentencing before a full gallery which included over 20 family members and friends whose lives have been impacted by Collins's actions resulting in the March 2020 death of Sean Green.
Judge Thomas Stockard presided, ADA Chelsea Sanford represented the state, and Defense Attorney Steve Evenson represented the defendant.
Collins was originally facing five charges including First-degree felony murder with the use of a firearm, for allegedly shooting Green multiple times with a handgun. He was also charged with Conspiracy to commit murder, Burglary with a firearm, discharging a firearm at or into an occupied structure, and destroying or concealing evidence. The handgun has not been found.
Collins pled guilty to two charges, Involuntary Manslaughter, a Category E Felony, which is punishable by 16-48 months incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000, and Destroying or Concealing Evidence a Gross Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days incarceration.
Sanford began her argument by stating, “Life is immeasurably valuable.” She told the court Green's absence will “forever be felt by this community, his friends, his family, and his three young children.” Sanford then requested the defendant be sentenced to the maximum prison sentence legally allowed for the charges and that the sentences run consecutively.
Sanford explained that the defendant and Green were both involved in a back-and-forth romantic relationship with the same woman which resulted in the defendant going over to the victim's home one night around 11:00 where he confronted Green.
When law enforcement arrived, they found Green with five bullet wounds. The gun that was used to kill Green was never found. Sanford said the state wished Green could be present to tell what happened that night, but “his death silenced that option. As the saying goes ‘Dead men tell no tales.’” Sanford concluded by asking for “Time in prison. No probation. No rehabilitation. Time.”
Evenson began his argument by reading the legal definition of the charge Collins pled to which is Involuntary Manslaughter. The definition in part states it is “the killing of a human being without any intent to do so.” He reminded the court that “is what we are here for today.” Evenson described the relationship between the defendant and the victim as “frenemies.” He acknowledged that Green is gone and that is a tragedy for many.
Evenson went on to say, “The simple facts are that this tragedy took place without the intent of Mr. Collins to do so, as the statute indicates.” Evenson asked for probation and for concurrent sentences for the two charges. He said Collins wants to pay restitution but that will not happen if he is locked up. Evenson told the court, “He wants to be treated fairly for being honest and direct about what happened.”
Collins spoke to the court saying, “This is a terrible thing for everybody involved.” He stated that in hindsight, he wouldn't have gone there that night. He told the judge he “would absolutely be willing to pay the restitution,” and that he would like to pay it as quickly as possible.
Green’s two daughters and his sister-in-law then answered the question Sanford asked each of them -- “How has this case impacted your life?” and provided Victim Impact Statements.
His youngest daughter Olivia looked at Collins and said although she didn’t think she was strong enough to speak today, as this dreadful day approached, she wanted to preface statements by asking the defendant to look her in the eyes and see the raw pain and suffering he has caused. She told Collins he is charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, “but shooting my dad multiple times surely wasn't involuntary.” Addressing the statement from Collins that he had gone to have a conversation with Green, she said, “I don't know many conversations that require a gun.”
Sean's oldest daughter, Cassandra, looked at Collins and said her father was not perfect and if he were here today, he would agree, “but he is not here today because someone selfish took his life away.” She told Collins that a few letters and a handful of photographs are all they have left of their father. She spoke of all the milestones her father will never get and that her heart breaks because he never got to see his children altogether. She told Collins that he is the only one who knows what happened that night and she hopes “that truth haunts you every night for the rest of your life like it haunts us.” Cassandra concluded by saying the maximum sentence doesn't remotely qualify as justice but if the defendant one day feels a fraction of the pain he has caused, they feel, then justice will be served.
Starla Green spoke directly to Collins and told him how, because of him she now has to comfort Sean's young son when he asks why, how, and who, “Who would want to hurt my dad like that?”
Starla told Collins many nights, including the night they found out about Sean, she sat and cried with the young boy as he prayed and cried for God to bring his dad back, to help him not be so sad. “He prayed for you, Bobby. He prayed for you by name."
She said she recently asked him what he would say to the man who hurt his dad. He asked her if it would be okay to say he would forgive him because although there are rude things he would like to say, forgiving would be the right thing to do.
Judge Stockard sentenced Collins to 16-48 months in the Nevada State Prison on Count 1, Involuntary Manslaughter; and 241 days in the Churchill County Jail, to be served consecutively, with credit given for 241 days’ time served on Count 2 of Destroying or Concealing Evidence. Stockard told Collins that he considered probation but is not willing to grant him that privilege.
Collins was ordered to pay fines, fees, and restitution in regard to the extradition fee, cremation, and the urn. Sanford and Evenson will discuss the adoption fees and if an agreement is not reached, an evidentiary hearing will be scheduled.
Collins was remanded to the custody of the Sheriff.
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