LOCKPORT — Niagara County Lawmaker William Collins Sr. was back in court for arraignment on a charge related to a tire-slashing incident in the city.
In his appearance at Lockport City Court on Wednesday morning, Collins, 12th District Niagara County legislator, pleaded not guilty to to a charge of third-degree criminal mischief.
The charges against Collins, 57, stem from an incident that occurred on Oct. 26 outside Attitudes bar, 616 West Ave., Lockport.
Collins did not offer any comment on Wednesday. After leaving the courtroom, his attorney, George Muscato clarified a comment he made to the Union-Sun & Journal following Collins’ previous appearance on Nov. 29 stating that, “No one has shown” him a video of Collins slashing a tire.
Muscato said that while he has seen the widely circulated security camera footage, he contends it cannot be determined if the video depicts Collins.
“I have not seen a video that clearly depicts my client,” Muscato said. “There’s this video floating around, but you can’t tell who it is.”
In the video, a person can be seen making a motion near the tire on the front, passenger-side of the vehicle with what appears to be a knife or some kind of instrument before the tire appears to sustain a sidewall blowout. The video shows the person quickly moving away from the truck that was parked outside of the bar and out of frame as the tire deflates.
Lockport Police Chief Steve Abbott has said the charge is based on witness statements as well as video footage obtained at the scene.
Collins recently lost his 12th District seat on the Niagara County Legislature by 28 votes to Carla Speranza.
“It’s an unfortunate situation. He lost an election because of these accusations,” Muscato said.
City Court Judge William Watson has set Collins’ next appearance date in court for 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 10.