Murder Charge Dropped In Death Of Former Canton Cop: Reports

BENTONVILLE, AR -- Prosecutors in Arkansas have dropped the murder charge against a man accused of killing a former Canton police officer whose body was found in the defendant's hot tub in November 2015, multiple media outlets are reporting. James A. Bates was arrested in February 2016 on first degree felony murder charges in connection with the death of Victor Parris Collins, 47, of Centerton, which is west of Bentonville.

According to NPR, the state on Wednesday moved to dismiss the murder as well as tampering with evidence charges against Bates in the case that hinged on whether an Amazon Echo device may have recorded evidence that could piece together the moments leading up to and immediately following Collins' death.

CNN reports prosecutors dropped the charges due to the fact that evidence in the case pointed to more than one reason behind Collins' death.

The investigation into Collins' death began Nov. 22, 2015, when officers responded to Bates's home in Bentonville. According to police, officers arrived at the home and found Collins dead inside a hot tub on the back patio.

Bates told authorities he invited some friends, including Collins, over to the home where they watched sports and drank alcohol. He initially told officers he went to sleep and woke up the next morning to find Collins unresponsive inside the hot tub, which was filled with water.

An autopsy was performed on Collins at the Arkansas State Crime Lab and the Medical Examiner's Office ruled the former cop's death a homicide. According to 5NEWS, police alleged that Bates strangled and drowned Collins, who worked with the Canton Police Department between 1998 and 2010. Before going to Canton, Collins worked as a deputy with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office.

Detectives executed a search warrant Nov. 25 at the Bates home and pressed on with the investigation. Following months of interviews and investigating the death, Bentonville police presented an affidavit for Bates's arrest and took him into custody.

The Bentonville Police Department told KNWA that it hopes the case will eventually make its way to a jury. The TV station also reports prosecutors have one year to refile charges.

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