Footprints in snow ID alleged killer
Expert witness links sneaker brand to defendant
NORRISTOWN>> Prosecutors relied on a name brand sneaker expert to try to link footprints found at a Pottstown murder scene to a sneaker allegedly worn by a Philadelphia man who is accused of fatally shooting a borough man over a drug debt.
“It’s only on the ‘LeBron 12,’ Herb Hedges Jr., a consultant for Nike Corporation, testified Wednesday in Montgomery County Court, referring to the unique tread pattern of a sneaker that prosecutors alleged was worn by accused killer Richard Allen “Bub” Collins when he gunned down Artie “Sin” Bradley about 9:50 p.m. March 20, 2015, in Pottstown.
Looking at a photo of a shoe print found in the snow at the murder scene at Washington and Beech streets, Hedges, who described the ‘LeBron 12’ as a statement product for which Nike has a design patent, testified the shoe impression in the snow was
consistent with the tread of ‘LeBron 12’ footwear.
“You can really see it matches exactly to this outsole design. That is a ‘LeBron 12,’” Hedges said as he glanced at the photo of the footprint impression shown to him by Assistant District Attorney Benjamin McKenna. “Every shoe is unique when you start dissecting them.”
County Detective Edward Schikel, an expert in forensic crime scene investigation, testified an untreated sidewalk near Bradley’s body was covered from a recent snow.
“There were numerous honeycomb impressions in the snow. There were about 20 or so in a cluster on the sidewalk,” said Schikel, adding he created a caste of one of the shoeprints.
On Tuesday, Mariah Anne Walton, Collins’ girlfriend, testified she witnessed Collins shoot Bradley six times and that Collins was wearing red and black Nike “LeBron 12” sneakers at the time of the deadly confrontation. Walton has pleaded guilty to thirddegree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the slaying.
Deputy District Attorney Samantha Collins showed jurors a replica pair of ‘ LeBron 12’ sneakers, which jurors passed among them and inspected closely.
“Nice shoe,” one male juror uttered softly to the juror next to him as he examined the distinctive sneaker that bears the name of Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player LeBron James.
Schikel testified the “honeycomb pattern” also was found in front of a home in the 400 block of Beech Street, a residence that Collins and Bradley had visited shortly before Bradley was gunned down.
Troy Holmes, who resided at the Beech Street residence at the time, testified he observed Collins brandish a small gun and “snapping and clicking” it as he left the residence with Bradley. A short time later, Holmes said he heard gunshots.
“I heard a loud noise. It sounded like gunshots. I heard four and then I heard three. I lost my breath. I was shaking like a leaf. I just didn’t want to believe I heard that,” Holmes said.
But under cross-examination by Collins’ lawyer, Paul A. Bauer III, Holmes said he did not witness the shooting. Bauer has implied that Walton is a liar and on Tuesday even suggested that Walton killed Bradley.
The “honeycomb” shoe pattern also was discovered outside Bradley’s residence in the 800 block of North Charlotte Street, where prosecutors alleged Collins had gone earlier in the evening while searching for Bradley. The pattern also was found outside a home in the 400 block of East High Street, a residence where Collins and Walton were staying at the time, according to testimony.
“They all exhibited the same features, honeycomb pattern, pinwheel pattern. They were all the same,” Schikel testified, referring to the shoe prints found at the four locations.
Collins, 38, who listed addresses in Philadelphia and Pottstown, is charged with first- and third-degree murder in connection with Bradley’s death.
Prosecutors alleged Collins and Walton operated a drug trafficking business in Pottstown and that Bradley also helped the pair sell cocaine and heroin. Walton testified Collins and Bradley, who once “were like brothers,” became embroiled in arguments about $10,000 that Collins believed was missing from the proceeds relating to a heroin transaction.
As testimony wrapped up Tuesday, it was revealed that court of ficials, detectives, prosecutors and the defense team were investigating an allegation that Collins had contact with an upcoming prosecution witness while they were transported to the courthouse on the same prison bus by sheriff ’s officials on Wednesday. A judge previously signed an order that Collins and potential witnesses were not to be transported together.
“I am extraordinarily frustrated,” Judge Wendy Demchick-Alloy bellowed, ordering sheriff’s officials to transport Collins to and from jail alone, and vowing to review the situation.
“Therewere numerous honeycomb impressions in the snow. Therewere about 20 or so in a cluster on the sidewalk.”
— Montgomery County Detective Edward Schikel