Man Skips DeKalb Murder Trial, Arrested In Alabama: Sheriff

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — A man accused of skipping a murder trial against him in DeKalb County was recently arrested in Alabama and has been sentenced to life in prison, DeKalb County authorities said Tuesday.

Jeremy Collins, 29, was arrested Thursday in Birmingham after a dispute with law enforcement, the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office said.

The murder trial against him was held in connection with the August 2021 death of Keng Wilson, authorities said.

Though they did not say how or where Wilson died, a past WAGA-TV report stated Wilson was 20-years-old when he died in 2021 after being shot at a Rockbridge Road gas station.

Collins was one of three men accused in the deadly shooting; WAGA-TV reported one of them, Joshua Ontario Simpson, 26, was arrested on charges of murder and other charges.

Authorities said Collins faced charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He fled to Birmingham after he stopped appearing for court, authorities said.

However, authorities said the trial continued in his absence, and he was sentenced to life in prison in absentia.

Collins will be extradited to the DeKalb County Jail after being treated for unknown injuries at an Alabama hospital, authorities said. They added he is currently in the custody of the Jefferson County (Alabama) Sheriff's Office.