A Springhill man convicted of Simple Kidnapping won an appeal to his 25 year sentence. His conviction was vacated and sent back to trial court.
Patrick Kinsey Robinson was sentenced to 25 years in January 2018 after being found guilty of Simple Kidnapping for allegedly holding his pastor, Reverend C.R. Collier at knifepoint while he was wanted for aggravated burglary.
According to reports at the time of Robinson’s arrest on Mar. 30, 2017, the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call that he was at the Sleepy Hollow Road residence of his ex-girlfriend with a baseball bat and a backpack. Robinson forced his way into the home and awakened the occupants inside.
When he reached his ex-girlfriend’s bedroom, he was reportedly standing over her with the bat yelling and screaming. The victim stated she was afraid for her children, an infant inside the bedroom with her and two boys ages eight and six, according to the arrest affidavit. He reportedly threatened to kill everyone in the house, deputies said.
Robinson then left the bedroom and grabbed his 6-year-old son from the couch, at which point the child’s mother called 911. When Robinson realized she’d called 911, he reportedly ran out the back door of the residence alone.
According to the appeal, Robinson contacted Reverend Collier to pick him up and provide him with food and a shower and to tell Rev. Collier his version of the alleged aggravated burglary. Robinson told Collier that he was having suicidal thoughts.
After texting with Robinson, Rev. Collier met with Deputy George Salsberry and Deputy Jason Marshall. Rev. Collier testified that his goal was to get Robinson psychiatric help regarding his suicidal thoughts. However, a plan was agreed to by the Deputies and Collier to deliver Robinson to an agreed upon parking lot.
Rev. Collier picked Robinson up in his car. When they arrived in the area near the parking lot designated as the meeting place, Robinson saw a Sarepta City police unit and drew a knife. Robinson allegedly waved the knife around and pointed it at Collier. Collier asked Robinson if he was going to “stick him” with the knife. According to Collier’s testimony, Robinson gave varying answers, but insisted that he was not going back to jail and that he would do whatever it took to avoid returning to jail.
Robinson also allegedly insisted that Collier take him to Robinson’s house. Collier testified that he drove past the parking lot because Robinson made him feel threatened with the knife. Upon seeing Rev. Collier drive past the parking lot, Deputies Marshall and Salsberry initiated pursuit.
Once the vehicle was pulled over, Deputy Salsberry approached the passenger door. Reports say Robinson opened the passenger door and began kicking. He got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. Collier told the deputy Robinson pulled a knife on him and tried to make him run from police.
Robinson was tried on charges of Aggravated Burglary and Second Degree Kidnapping. The jury acquitted Robinson of Aggravated Burglary and found him guilty of Simple Kidnapping.
Robinson’s appeal stated two recent Louisiana Supreme Court decisions have held that simple kidnapping is not a “lesser and included” grade of second degree kidnapping. Judge Michael Nerran oversaw the case and granted the appeal with instructions that it be sent back to trial court.