May 1, 2008
Collins Trial Moves to Ely

Photo provided by Lincoln County Sheriff's Office James Lee Collins

By Dave Maxwell, Staff Writer

District Judge Dan L. Papez ordered a change of venue in the trial of James Lee Collins. The May 6-8 trial will be held in Ely.

The change of venue was requested due to the repair work that will be taking place on the water damage created April 13 by a broken pipe at the Courthouse. According to Lincoln County District Attorney Greg Barlow he would continue to serve as the prosecuting attorney, however, the jury will be selected from White Pine County residents. The District Attorney’s Office said that the judge declared a mistrial when this case was first heard in Lincoln County because certain information came before the jury that shouldn’t have.

Following a long investigation by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Nevada Parole and Probation Office in Ely, Collins was served with a search warrant in Panaca on April 30, 2007. He was then arrested along with Kevin Valerio of Panaca and Kenneth Bowen of Beryl, Utah.

Collins was charged with conspiracy, possession of methamphetamine for sale, trafficking in a controlled substance, and parole and probation hold. Valerio and Bowen both entered plea bargain agreements and will appear as witnesses for the prosecution.