Former Nebraska star was accused of attacking Jamaal Jackson

By Kevin Hampton
Mid-Valley Sports

Former University of Nebraska running back Thunder Collins Jr. sat in a Corvallis McDonald's Restaurant on Thursday morning, a free man.

Collins, who chose a Big Mac and fries as his first meal since his release after nearly six months in the Benton County Corrections Facility on Wednesday evening, was acquitted of all charges stemming from his arrest July 1.

Collins was accused of breaking into a north Corvallis apartment and attacking Oregon State football player Jamaal Jackson while he was asleep. Jackson and his girlfriend, Shannon Howell — who dated Collins while she attended Nebraska — eventually escaped.

Jackson, a cornerback from Orlando, Fla., suffered facial injuries and was treated at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Collins was charged with burglary in the first degree and assault in the second degree. He said he decided to stay in jail rather than attempt to raise bail, which he said was set at $250,000.

"I figure six months is not as bad as seven or eight years," he said.

After a three-day trial, which began on Dec. 15, the jury took four hours before finding Collins not guilty on both charges. Collins claimed self-defense, and the state is required to prove the crimes beyond a reasonable doubt and disprove the self-defense claim beyond a reasonable doubt.

Collins said he came to Corvallis from Nebraska to visit a few friends, take care of some career-related business on the West Coast and to visit Howell, who transferred to the OSU women's basketball team from Nebraska in 2002.

"They said I broke into his apartment and assaulted him in his sleep, supposedly out of jealously and rage that he was dating Shannon Howell," Collins said. "She pretty much was in the middle of it all.

"I didn't think these were the barbaric days where you beat someone up and the winner gets the girl."

It wasn't the first time Collins was arrested in connection with Howell. He accepted a diversion agreement and pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace after his arrest in Nebraska in June 2001 for domestic assault.

Collins did not dispute the claim that he broke Jackson's jaw, but said that it happened during a fight.

"(Jackson) actually answered the door," Collins said. "We got into a heated argument, and he threw the first punch. I hit him with a left and broke his jaw. I literally hit him on the chin (and) I suffered a broken hand."

Benton County chief deputy district attorney John M. Haroldson observed the case closely and was in attendance during the trial while prosecuting attorney Mary Parker worked to land a guilty verdict. Parker was not in the office on Thursday.

Haroldson said the evidence was in favor of a guilty verdict and the jury had every opportunity to consider it.

"While I believe in the criminal justice system, this verdict is very disappointing," Haroldson said. "I can't imagine that for Jamaal Jackson it reflects justice served."

Collins said he will spend the holidays with family and then start workouts to prepare for pro football tryouts. He has slimmed down to 190 pounds from 220 during his prison stay.

He said four teams are interested in signing him for NFL Europe.

"I run a 4.2 40, have a 40-inch vertical and can catch the ball out of the backfield," Collins said. "I can also play defense, so I think a lot of teams will be interested in me for a pro career."

He said his problems with Jackson and Howell are over. He said he has no desire to see or speak to Howell.

"I don't have bad feelings toward Jamaal," Collins said. "What was done that night is done."