Suspect pleads innocent

A Kalispell woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges related to a murder case in which her common-law husband is a suspect.

Karrolyn Robinson, 19, is charged with theft, burglary and tampering with evidence.

Robinson allegedly had text messages deleted from a phone belonging to Robert Allen Lake, 21, of Kalispell.

Lake and Jeffrey Allen Nixon, 19, of Kalispell face felony charges of deliberate homicide, robbery and tampering with physical evidence.

They are accused of using hammers to bludgeon to death 49-year-old Wesley Collins, then stealing his money and medical marijuana plants and  trying to hide the crime.

Cody Naldrett, 27, also of Kalispell, allegedly helped Lake and Nixon remove Collins’ body from his apartment and drag it into the woods. He faces felony charges of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

All three pleaded innocent on May 6.

Robinson also pleaded not guilty to outstanding charges of accountability to robbery for allegedly acting as a getaway driver for Lake, who has been charged with robbing the Players Club Casino in Evergreen in September 2009 and using a can of pepper spray on an employee and patrons.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Robinson’s attorney asked the court to lower Robinson’s $50,000 bond and allow her to be released under the conditions that she wear an ankle bracelet and live with her father in Evergreen.

However, Kalispell Police Detective Michelle O’Neil testified that Robinson is a flight risk.

O’Neil said that, during monitored phone calls at the detention center, Robinson and Lake discussed getting fake identification.

O’Neil also said that Robinson’s mother lives in Canada, creating the potential for Robinson to escape.

District Judge Stewart Stadler denied the request because of the serious nature of the case.

After Lake reportedly disclosed to Kalispell Police that he and Nixon had killed Collins on April 12, Robinson was asked to turn over Lake’s phone, which was in her name.

The phone had been released to Lake’s brother after the homicide.

Although Robinson brought the phone to police, officers learned she had sent Lake’s brother a text message informing him to delete all text messages from the phone, and also deleted text messages off her phone.

“Robinson was aware of the pending investigation and intentionally had the text messages removed ... knowing that they were of evidentiary value,” court documents state.

 She was also found to have three marijuana plants and many of Collins’ personal items, including a flat-screen television, tools, weight equipment and prescription medications, and allegedly admitted to entering Collins’ residence with Lake and another person to remove the marijuana plants.

Robinson remains in custody at the Flathead County Detention Center.

If sentenced the maximum on all counts, Robinson could face 40 years in prison and a $150,000 fine. Lake and Nixon could face up to life in prison and $100,000 fines and Naldrett could face 15 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Lake and Nixon remain in the Flathead County Detention Center on around $500,000 bond.

Naldrett is being held on $50,000 bond. A request to reduce that amount was denied during a hearing Tuesday.

Robinson’s next hearing on the charges relating to the murder is scheduled for Sept. 8 and a trail is scheduled for Oct. 25.

Reporter Melissa Weaver may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at mweaver@dailyinterlake.com