Father in skier attack appeals conviction

A former Vancouver man is appealing his conviction of beating and nearly killing a cross-country skier in Skamania County last year.

Michael Thompson, attorney for Michael D. Collins, this week filed a notice of appeal in Skamania County Superior Court on behalf of Collins. An appellate attorney will be appointed to represent Collins and file the legal arguments supporting an appeal.

Collins was convicted Feb. 24 by a Skamania County Superior Court jury of first-degree attempted murder and first-degree robbery relating to the attack of Washougal’s Kevin Tracey near Dougan Falls last February. Collins was sentenced to 24 years, nine months in prison.

Collins’ 17-year-old son, Teven Collins, also charged in the attack, accepted a plea deal to second-degree attempted murder and received eight years in prison.

Thompson said this morning he suspects the appellate attorney will argue, among other reasons, that there was a tainted jury because of the extensive media coverage surrounding the case.

Also, since Teven Collins accepted a last-minute plea deal the Friday before trial, Thompson said he didn’t have adequate time to prepare a defense to Teven Collins’ testimony — another possible argument.