The fiance of a former campaign staffer accused of murdering ex-Arkansas state senator Linda Collins says the two women were 'best friends' and there is 'not a chance' she killed the lawmaker.
Tim Loggains has defended his partner, Rebecca Lynn O'Donnell, 48, after she was charged with capital murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering earlier this month. She faces a possible death penalty if convicted.
He told https://twitter.com/GMA/status/1143849097025081347: 'Becky's not capable of this. I haven't questioned that at all.
'Either she is the best actress in the world and a sociopath and completely fooled me or there is not a chance she did this.'
His defense of O'Donnell comes as it was revealed Loggains held power of attorney over Collins, who was found dead outside her own home in Pocahontas in early June.
It is understood he helped her to cash nearly $500,000 in state and federal income tax return checks issued jointly to Collins and her estranged husband Circuit Judge Phil Smith.
When he tried to cash a federal refund of more than $400,000 Loggains is said to have been stopped by Smith, who told the bank the check should not be deposited without his signature, The Arkansas Times reports.
Defending that move Loggains said it was at Linda's request - but did not elaborate on why he had been given power of attorney over the lawmaker.
He said: ' I didn't want to do it but Linda needed the help and you help a friend when you need it.
'I never made a nickel off of helping Linda. Period.'
Tim Loggains, left, has defended his partner, Rebecca O'Donnell, center, after she was charged with capital murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering in the death of Linda Collins, right
'Becky's not capable of this. I haven't questioned that at all', Tim told Good Morning America
O'Donnell changed her Facebook profile picture to one of her smiling alongside Collins on June 10 — six days after the body was found and four days before she was arrested.
She had escaped prosecution in 2014 for allegedly stealing a bag of designer jeans from Curvy, a plus-size consignment shop in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where she worked.
Authorities have released few details about Collins' killing and have not said how or when the former lawmaker was killed.
Her body was discovered wrapped in a blanket, according to The Arkansas Times, and allegedly had a gunshot wound.
Sources claimed that Collins' body had started to
