THUNDER!

'I'm the victim,' Thunder yells
By John Ferak/WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

When former Husker running back Thunder Collins had a chance to testify before the jury weighing his fate, he heeded his lawyer's advice and declined.

When that jury returned guilty verdicts Monday on charges of first- and attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and two weapons charges, Collins sat expressionless.

A jury of 12 strangers had relegated Collins, 29, to prison for the rest of his life, dashing much more than his hopes of playing professional football.

When Douglas County District Judge Gary Randall announced a Nov. 12 sentencing date, Collins snapped.
“Set it now. Set it now! I'm not coming back,” Collins yelled, standing up from his chair at the defense table.
“Set it now.”

Collins lashed out at the judge and scolded jurors for convicting him, saying he was no killer. He then hurled obscenities at the Omaha police homicide detectives who had packed the second row of courtroom benches.

As court security escorted him through the courthouse and back to jail, Collins repeatedly yelled to reporters.

“No justice. No justice. I'm the victim. I'm the victim, here. They know I killed no one. Of course, they got the wrong guy. I'm not no snitch. I've got dignity. I will get another trial.”

I don't know if I've seen a bigger miscarriage of justice since Ruben 'Hurricane' Carter. Of course Thunder isn't a killer. Sure, everything in his past points to him being prone to violent mood swings and physical altercations involving unbelievably hasty judgments but isn't a killer. He's got dignity! Well Thunder, that and a carton of smokes will get you out of getting raped for a few weeks. Hope the other inmates are Husker fans.

But let's harken to a better time for Thunder, when he was part of one of the greatest plays in Husker history.