Collins, William: 1954

William Cellins (Collins, 72), 65, was murdered by someone with an axe.  William B. Stiffler, age 86, was accused by the housekeeper for the Altoona home in which all three lived.  Stiffler and Wingart (Long) were placed in Blair County jail during the investigation.  Housekeeper Gertude Wingart (Long) accused Stiffler of the crime.  He took the stand in his own defense and denied the allegation.  He suggested someone entered the home and committed the crime while he was not there.  The jury shown both the bloodstained axe and a claw hammer, both stated by the commonwealth to have been the murder weapons, but  the prosecution could offer no motive that connected Stiffler to the deed.
Stiffler was acquitted after a four-day trial.  Spectators in the courtroom applauded the verdict.