David Dewayne Collins, 35, of Pocola will face first-degree murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and second-degree arson charges related to the death of Shannon Southern.
Collins is accused of murdering Southern, 20, of Muldrow. Southern’s body was found Sept. 22 in his burned home on Lee’s Chapel Road, southeast of Muldrow.
Collins was originally charged with first-degree arson but Sequoyah County District Judge Dennis Sprouse ruled that because Shannon Southern was dead prior to Collins allegedly igniting the fire that destroyed Southern’s home the first-degree arson charge was not sustained.
John David Luton, first assistant district attorney, said the prosecution is not seeking the death penalty for Collins.
Collins is represented by Oklahoma Indigent Defense System (OIDS) attorneys John Echols and Gretchen Mosley, along with Matt Ordendorff of Sallisaw, who is working with OIDS attorneys probono.
During the preliminary hearing, defense attorneys argued that Collins acted in self-defense after Southern hit him in the face with a gun, but prosecution disputes the self defense argument, claiming Collins shot Southern over a $40 loan involving drugs.
Sprouse set a district court arraignment for Collins for 1:30 p.m. June 10 before District Judge Jeff Payton.
