Suspect in Collins stabbing makes first appearance in court

Santa Cruz police work the crime scene where a prominent Santa Cruz businesswoman was murdered Monday on Broadway in Santa Cruz. The second picture is the suspect, Charles Anthony Edwards III. (Photos by Tarmo Hannula).

WATSONVILLE — Santa Cruz police have released the victim’s and suspect’s name s in Monday’s vicious stabbing attack on Broadway that left a well-known Santa Cruz businesswoman dead.

Shannon Kathleen Collins, 38, of Santa Cruz died at the scene of the 11:52 a.m. attack on the 300 block of Broadway in the Beach Flats area of Santa Cruz.

Police initially got calls from witnesses reporting a man with a knife threatening a woman in the street on Broadway, just south of downtown, said Santa Cruz Police Deputy Chief Steve Clark.

When emergency officials arrived they found Collins lying in the street between parked cars bleeding from multiple stab wounds. She was reportedly walking home from a hair salon appointment.

Swift work by Santa Cruz police led them to the suspect, Charles Anthony Edwards III, 43, whom they spotted walking away from the scene moments after the attack on nearby Campbell Street.

Though first aid was provided, Collins was pronounced dead at the scene.

Edwards made his first appearance in court Wednesday. Aided by public defender Diana August, Edwards, did not enter a plea. Stocky and garbed in an orange and white prison attire, shackled at the wrists, ankles and waist, Edwards appeared nervous and, at times, dumbfounded by the courtroom experience. Twice he broke from court protocol and blurted out indecipherable remarks to Judge John Salazar.



For the complete article see the 05-10-2012 issue.

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