A Shelby County jury has convicted Robert Collins of murdering his landlord, Ernest Hatton, following a dispute over rent and property maintenance. According to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, the verdict was reached on Saturday after a weeklong trial, nearly four years after the incident.
Collins, a tenant and part-time mechanic, lived and worked at a property in the 600 block of East Shelby Drive. On November 16, 2021, prosecutors said Hatton, 50, arrived at the property when Collins shot him multiple times. Hatton was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Collins represented himself during the trial. Prosecutors Carrie Bush and Susan Taylor presented evidence that included a witness statement and Collins’ own admission to the shooting. The witness testified that Collins had made a threat before the incident.
Following the shooting, Collins approached officers at the scene and admitted to shooting Hatton. Sentencing will be determined at a later date.
