Collins Trial Advances to Closing After Short Self-Representation
A 12-member jury will weigh whether a chain of surveillance, waste-route tracking and DNA evidence tying recovered remains to the defendant proves guilt.
Overview
- Closing arguments began Wednesday after Jordan Dupree Collins Sr. — who is representing himself — presented a roughly 30-minute defense, called four witnesses and did not testify.
- Prosecutors built their case on video that they say showed suspected remains placed in a dumpster behind Collins' apartment and forensic tracking from a specific garbage truck through a weigh station to the Elk River landfill.
- Investigators recovered human remains at the Elk River landfill in the summer of 2025 and earlier court testimony says blood found in Collins' apartment matched the victim, Jordan “Manny” Collins Jr.
- Collins is charged with one count of second-degree murder, has pleaded not guilty, and the jury is expected to decide the case soon after closing statements.
- The investigation involved local police, the Anoka County sheriff's office and FBI assistance during a weeks-long landfill search, family testimony has been emotional, and no motive has been established in court testimony.