Pretrial date set for defendant in elementary school stabbing incident

SOUTH POINT, Ohio (WSAZ) – The man charged in the stabbing of an elementary school principal waived his right to a speedy trial Wednesday morning.

Joshua Collins, 43, faces up to 158 years in prison if convicted of charges related to the school attack.

Collins was indicted by a Lawrence County grand jury on Friday on charges including attempted murder, aggravated assault and 11 counts of kidnapping of students and staff at the school, according to Lawrence County District Attorney Brigham Anderson.

Deputies say on Oct. 24, Collins was upset at South Point Elementary School over a child custody issue and was greeted by Principal Bill Christian in the hallway just outside his office door.

While the two were talking, deputies say Collins pulled out a knife and stabbed Christian in the neck and upper torso.

Collins is accused of running after the manager into the office and then entering the cafeteria, where he was confronted by a South Point police officer and arrested.

Collins is accused of breaking into the school, carrying an illegal weapon and causing panic.

He also faces two misdemeanor charges of telecommunications harassment and threatening by stalking.

If found guilty on all charges and the court decides to run the charges consecutively, Collins faces 153 and a half to 158 years in prison, according to Anderson.

Collins pleaded not guilty to the charges at a hearing in Lawrence County on Monday.

The judge set the bond at $2 million, Anderson said.

On Wednesday, the judge set a preliminary hearing date for Jan. 8.

Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest information.

Related Posts