Judge Denies Pierre Collins' Request To See Son's Body
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A judge has denied a request from the man charged with murdering his son, after he asked if he could be temporarily released to say his goodbyes to the boy.
Pierre Collins is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 10-year-old son, Barway Collins.
Thursday's courtroom hearing lasted less than 10 minutes.
Pierre Collins' lawyers asked if sheriff's deputies could escort Collins to the funeral home in Minneapolis where Barway Collins' body is being kept for a private visit before the boy is buried.
Pierre Collins is being held in the jail on $2 million bail.
The prosecutor in the case opposed the motion, saying there is no legal precedent for it and that, even in the presence of deputies, Pierre Collins is a flight risk and a risk to the public.
"To do something for his convenience is troubling," Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Amy Sweasy said.
Judge Tanya Bransford denied the request, saying Pierre Collins has no legal right to see his son's body.
Barway Collins' funeral is set for Saturday at Shiloh Temple in Minneapolis.
His biological mother lives in Liberia. Her friends say she is trying to travel here for the funeral, but is having trouble getting a visa in time.
As previously reported, there is dissension within the Liberian community over the funeral. Many want to wait until his mother has arrived here, while Pierre Collin's pastor says the child must be buried soon because of the condition of the body.
