SPECIAL COUNSEL NAMED IN ARREST

Prosecutor to weigh drug charges against Kansas official's wife By Roger
McKinney Globe Staff Writer A special prosecutor has been named to examine
possible drug charges against the wife of a Cherokee County commissioner.

County Attorney JoAnna Derfelt has assigned Joplin, Mo., attorney Dean
Wilson to the case of Pam Collins, arrested Dec. 11 for suspicion of
methamphetamine possession after a traffic stop.

She is the wife of Pat Collins, chairman of the Cherokee County Commission
and former sheriff.

Wilson said he has filed no charges, but has the investigative file and is
looking into the possibility of filing charges. He would not comment on the
status of the investigation.

As county attorney, Derfelt sometimes works with Pat Collins and Sheriff
Bob Creech.

Derfelt said since the case involved the wife of a county commissioner and
she sometimes represents the county in legal matters, the case represents a
conflict of interest under the rules of professional conduct.

Wilson said her reasons for appointing a special prosecutor are obvious.
"Working with the county commissioners, I don't know if she has a legal
conflict of interest, but certainly there is a practical one," Wilson said.

Mark Ohlemeier, spokesman for Kansas Attorney General Carla Stovall, said
the county attorney has the discretion to appoint a special prosecutor
without consulting the attorney general.

Pam Collins said the arrest was a result of county politics and has no merit.

She has hired Columbus attorney Doug Steele to represent her.

Steele on Friday had no comment about the appointment of a special
prosecutor, but said his client maintains her innocence.