Charges of attempted homicide proceed against Ohio man Monday
A man who testified to being shot in the shoulder in his Butler home last year saw charges move forward Monday, March 25, against the man accused of pulling the trigger.
Michael Collins III, 28, of Youngstown, Ohio, is facing charges filed by city police in relation to a burglary and shooting on West New Castle Street, which left resident Robert Green with a shoulder injury Feb. 5, 2023.
Police charged Collins on Feb. 21, 2023, with felonies attempted homicide, burglary, aggravated assault, possession of a prohibited firearm and criminal trespass, and two counts of misdemeanor reckless endangerment.
A warrant for Collins’ arrest was issued when charges were filed in 2023. Police said in October 2023 he was arrested and jailed in Lawrence County. Documents showed Collins was placed in Butler County Prison and arraigned March 11 of this year.
Collins appeared Monday before District Judge William Fullerton, where he heard Green recount the events of Feb. 5.
Green testified to returning to a West New Castle Street residence with his girlfriend around 1:30 a.m. and receiving a call from Collins.
The conversation, according to Green, was about money he owed Collins.
“He indicated he was close by. He said he was going to stop by,” he said.
Green asked Collins not to come to the residence and wait until morning to receive payment.
That’s when Collins kicked in a locked back door and entered the home, Green said.
“I noticed he had a gun,” he said. “We exchanged some words.”
The altercation was verbal and escalated to become physical, Green said, when Collins “slapped” a phone out of his hand. Green said he then picked up a box of nails to throw at Collins’ face.
“Next thing, I knew I was shot,” Green said. “I felt the blood dripping down my back.”
The impact from the shot knocked Green to the ground, he said.
He was hospitalized for the wound in his right shoulder and was released the next day with his arm in a sling.
Lt. Chad Rensel of city police later testified Collins was not permitted to possess a firearm due to a conviction on a rape charge in Ohio.
Defense attorney Bradley Olson argued the commonwealth had not demonstrated Collins had a clear intent to commit homicide, and said the wound Green suffered required “minimal medical treatment.”
Robert Zanella, assistant district attorney, argued a shot to the shoulder showed intent.
Fullerton agreed with Zanella’s argument and held the charges over for the Butler County Common Pleas Court.
“I wouldn’t put the shoulder too far away from the head,” Fullerton said.
Collins remains in Butler County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.
