The staffer accused of murdering former Arkansas Senator Linda Collins in June is facing additional criminal charges for allegedly conspiring to kill the senator’s ex-husband and two officials while behind bars.
Rebecca O’Donnell, 49, has remained jailed since June on charges of capital murder, abuse of a corpse, and evidence tampering with evidence in connection with Collins’ death. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that prosecutors recently obtained warrants to search a computer at the Rock & Roll Highway 67 Inn which Collins, 57, had used and a 2011 Ford Focus owned by O’Donnell’s mother.
O’Donnell was reportedly Collins’ close friend and her campaign aide. Her arrest came two weeks after Collins’ decomposing body was reportedly found wrapped in a blanket under a tarp in the driveway of her Pocohantas home.
In documents filed in Randolph County Circuit Court on April 30, special prosecutor Robert Dittrich accused O’Donnell of killing Collins “for the purpose of avoiding or preventing an arrest” and “for pecuniary gain.”
The recently-filed documents were made available this week as it’s related to criminal charges O’Donnell is facing in Jackson County.
O’Donnell faces charges of solicitation to commit capital murder and solicitation to tamper with evidence for allegedly attempting to recruit inmates to kill Collins’ ex-husband and new wife, in addition to a judge and prosecutor previously involved in her Randolph County case.
Prosecutors said O’Donnell, while behind bars, plotted to have a car blown up.
According to the Democrat-Gazette, O’Donnell’s fiancé, Tim Loggains, said Collins gave him power of attorney after her divorce. Loggains, who hasn’t been charged in connection with Collins’ murder, has proclaimed O’Donnell’s innocence.
A hearing to discuss whether O’Donnell will face the death penalty is scheduled for March 21. The capital murder trial is scheduled for October.
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[Featured image: Linda Collins, Rebecca O’Donnell/Facebook]
