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Collins was indicted in November on 18 counts, six of which were thrown out during the bench trial.

He was ultimately tried for felonious assault, attempted murder, breaking and entering, and illegal conveyance or possession of a deadly weapon in a school safety zone. Collins was also tried on seven counts of kidnapping and one count of inducing panic for a total of 12 felony charges.

Ballard found Collins guilty of felonious assault, attempted murder, all seven counts of kidnapping, inducement of panic and illegal conveyance or possession of a deadly weapon in a school safety zone.

But Ballard found Collins not guilty of breaking and entering.

According to the description of the charge laid out in the indictment, the state had to prove Collins, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œby force, stealth or deception, trespass(ed) in an unoccupied structure, with the purpose to commit therein, any theft offense.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

As the school was occupied at the time of the incident, Ballard ruled against the charge.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI think the court got the decision correct, and IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m happy with the judgeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s verdict,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney Brigham Anderson said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI think this gives the victims at the school some justice, and the kids at the school see that we take them very seriously.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Over the course of the trial, Ballard heard from 13 witnesses for the prosecution, including Principal William (Bill) Christian who suffered several injuries to his back, neck and face during the 2024 incident. Ballard also heard from EMS, a detective, the Lawrence County 911 coordinator and a school resource officer.

The defense did not present any witnesses.

The judge heard from school staff who were referenced by Anderson as victims of kidnapping, as well as the inducement of panic, by Collins.

Ballard watched a compilation of security footage from the school and body cam footage from the school resource officer. He also heard recorded 911 phone calls and viewed images of the crime scene and weapon.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe details were tough to hear. And there was a lot of emotion in this case because it was an emotional day for South Point, for the South Point students, for the South Point parents,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Anderson said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œAnd Bill Christian was really heroic in how heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s handled the situation. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥¦ HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s truly a hero for those kids.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

On the day of the incident, security footage showed Collins entering the school and having a conversation with Christian in front of the main office before stabbing him several times.

When Christian retreated into the office, Collins broke the window of the door and forced his way in, Anderson said. School nurse Amber Tucker testified Collins also broke a window leading into her office.

Collins can then be seen on security footage following Christian around the school until Christian said he eventually hid in the menÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s restroom, and law enforcement arrested Collins.

Several office staff testified about disputes and other dealings they had with Collins in the days leading up to the incident. Christian said Collins called him because he was worried about the person his ex-wife was dating, concerns he passed along to the school resource officer.

The day of the incident was CollinsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ day to pick up his child. Christian said he asked CollinsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ ex-wife to communicate to him she already picked up the child, and he discussed it with Collins when he arrived at the school. But Christian said Collins accused him of lying before stabbing him.

Defense attorney Richard Nash argued the case was about an assault on Christian and asked that the court acquit Collins.

He argued against the illegal conveyance of a deadly weapon charge, saying the knife was originally used to scratch stickers off a TV, and anything can be used as a weapon.

Anderson said that as Collins used a three-inch spring-loaded pocket knife to inflict harm on the principal, it was classified as a deadly weapon.

Nash also argued against the kidnapping charges. He said Collins did not threaten, force or restrain the liberties of the school staff in any way. He argued the staff, by retreating into their classrooms and offices, were simply following procedure.

Anderson said Christian was kidnapped by Collins, as he was removed from his original post at the office through violence and followed around the school. He argued the other staff were kidnapped because they saw or heard the incident and felt they had to hide out of fear.

Anderson pointed to an example of a class that was originally closer to the front of the building. Children could be seen on security footage running with their teacher across the cafeteria and toward a classroom near the rear of the school.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWhat is a threat? Is a threat hearing your principal scream, seeing and hearing multiple windows be busted out?ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Anderson asked Ballard.

Nash said inducing panic should not have been a felony charge, as that would require harm to happen after the panic was induced, not before.

Several witnesses testified students were asked to evacuate through the school windows to avoid the scene in the halls. Anderson said Collins terrorized the occupants of the school.

Anderson pointed to one witness, substitute teacher Hannah Hall, who could be heard on a 911 recording attempting to calm down her students after barricading the door and, saying she readied herself with a knife from her lunch box.

Collins will return for sentencing at 8:30 a.m. May 8. At that time, the court will accept any written statements from victims, Ballard said.

Ballard also revoked CollinsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ bond of $2 million.

Nash indicated he may file a motion for the court to provide a grand jury transcript from CollinsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ indictment.