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WILKES-BARRE — Neither prosecutors nor the defense got exactly what they were looking for in the case of Robert Collins.

The former city cop’s lawyers wanted him to remain at liberty after posting $1,000, representing a 2% deposit on $50,000 secured bail.

The prosecution wanted bail raised to $150,000 straight cash.

Luzerne County Judge David W. Lupas on Thursday kept it at $50,000, but increased the total amount Collins would have to pay, changing it from a 2 percent payment to requiring him to pay the full amount.

Collins, 53, of Mountain Top, was initially charged Jan. 22 on allegations that he forced four women to have sex with him while on duty. He retired in February after 12 years as a city officer.

Additional sex abuse charges were filed late last month, at which time Collins was allowed to remain free after posting $1,000, representing a 2% deposit on the $50,000 set by District Judge Thomas Malloy.

Collins remained free on Thursday after a bail bondsman immediately put up the money on his behalf.

In his motion requesting bail modification, Senior Deputy Attorney General Timothy Doherty had noted that prosecutors had requested $150,000 secured bail from Malloy at Wednesday’s hearing.

Doherty added that the new charges mean Collins’ potential prison time is doubled, to at least 52 years.

Bernard Anderson, attorney for the state Attorney General’s Office, appeared before Lupas on Thursday, while defense attorney Evan Hughes represented Collins.

According to Anderson, by only being required to pay $1,000, Collins was effectively out on unsecured bail, which he called “simply inappropriate.”

Hughes said the bail was appropriate, as Collins had never failed to appear to any court hearing, pointing out that if he had, he would need to pay the full $50,000.

Hughes also pointed out that, while this bail hearing is in relation to the second round of sex abuse charges Collins was facing, the alleged crimes were not committed while he was out on bail. Instead, he felt it was more appropriate to think of them as an extension of the same case.

“These are charges that will almost certainly be consolidated by the commonwealth for trial,” Hughes said. “So we’re essentially talking about the same case.”

According to Hughes, Collins has neither an incentive to flee or anywhere to flee to, as he is a lifelong resident of the Wilkes-Barre area and only has connections here.

To him, an increase in bail would be inappropriate.

“Any increase in bail can only be considered a pretrial punishment,” he said.

Anderson disagreed, saying Collins does have incentive to flee, as, if he is found guilty of all the charges against him, he could be facing life in prison if given the maximum possible sentence.

Lupas indicated that both sides had strong arguments in the case, agreeing with Hughes that the purpose of bail is to ensure a defendant’s appearance.

A preliminary hearing in the newest charges against Collins is set for Aug. 9.

Collins
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_TTL062719collins1-3.jpg.optimal.jpgCollins

Former Wilkes-Barre Police officer Robert Collins arrives for a bail hearing at the Luzerne County Courthouse.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_TTL071219collins2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgFormer Wilkes-Barre Police officer Robert Collins arrives for a bail hearing at the Luzerne County Courthouse. Aimee Dilger |Times Leader

Former Wilkes-Barre Police officer Robert Collins arrives for a bail hearing at the Luzerne County Courthouse.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_TTL071219collins1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgFormer Wilkes-Barre Police officer Robert Collins arrives for a bail hearing at the Luzerne County Courthouse. Aimee Dilger |Times Leader

By Patrick Kernan

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