SYRACUSE -- The trial of Roosevelt Collins resumed in Onondaga County court Monday. Collins is accused of killing 61-year-old Ann Davis in her Syracuse home in September of 2007. Last week, jurors heard opening statements in the case.
The prosecutor says Collins murdered Davis so he could get money for crack cocaine. The district attorney told the jury Collins and a local prostitute were on a two day crack cocaine binge when they ran out of money. Prosecutors say Collins went to Davis's house on Hutchinson Avenue and murdered her in cold blood, telling the jury that Davis's skull was hit so hard, her skull was fractured and her throat was slit.
Collins was a handyman who did work for Davis. Shortly after the murder, Davis's car was found abandoned at a nearby pizza parlor. Prosecutors say a hair belonging to Collins was found in the driver's seat of the car and with other DNA evidence found inside Davis's house links Collins to the crime.
But the defense says the evidence against his client is purely circumstantial, saying there were no witnesses or confession.
