Shooter Gets Life, No Parole In Slaying

by Dave Racher, Daily News Staff Writer
Posted: September 14, 1999

Zachary "Kato" Earvin, 31, warned people in a house on Union Street near Parrish that someone was going to die.

A few minutes later, shortly after 11 p.m. on May 13, 1998, Earvin, of Pennsgrove Street near 39th, triggered his own prophesy. He shot and killed Lonnie "Pop" Collins, 58, wounded Carlton "Blue" Randolph, and fired shots that missed Robert Collins, the victim's brother, said Assistant District Attorney Mark Gilson.

Yesterday, a jury that convicted Earvin of first-degree murder and aggravated assault was unable to agree on a life or death sentence. So Common Pleas Judge Ricardo C. Jackson was required to sentence Earvin to life without parole.

Gilson said Earvin walked into the home while the victims were playing cards and watching TV with some friends. When Earvin pulled a gun while sitting at a dining room table, Zachary Collins said, "You're out of order. Guns scare me. You're going to have to put that gun away or leave."

"Some girl disrespected my brother, and I'm here to represent him," said Earvin to the puzzled men.

"No one knew what he was talking about," said Gilson.

Lonnie Collins then went upstairs and got his own gun. When he returned, he tried to reason with Earvin, said Gilson.

"Look, now you've got one and I've got one," Collins told Earvin. "Let's put them away and talk."

Lonnie Collins pushed Earvin onto the front porch, then followed him outside. Witnesses heard a brief struggle, then a single gunshot.

At that point, Rudolph ran to the door and saw Earvin leaning over the slain Collins.

As Rudolph tried to grab Earvin, "the defendant spins around and shoots him once in the right cheek," said Gilson.

When Robert Collins then rushed outside, Earvin fired several shots at him, shattering the glass in the storm door.

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