Husband Murders Wife And Her Bestfriend After Learning About Wife's Secret

Summary

In August 2015, a tragic event unfolded in Mirabella, Florida, when James Collie Jr., in a fit of rage and jealousy, murdered his estranged wife Amanda and her friend Lindy Dobbins. The incident began with James discovering evidence of Amanda's new relationship, leading to a series of violent acts, including breaking into her home and eventually shooting her and Lindy multiple times. Despite a defense claim of sleepwalking, James was found guilty and sentenced to death, leaving behind a community in shock and two families devastated by the senseless violence.

Takeaways

• 🏡 The incident took place in Amanda Colie's upscale house in Mirabella, St. Augustine, Florida, a community known for its resort-style living.
• 👫 Amanda had invited her friends Rachel Hendrick and Lindy Dobbins over to her house to comfort her following the breakdown of her marriage.
• 🔍 The house was found in disarray, with no items stolen but many things rifled through, suggesting a search for evidence.
• 🔫 James Collie Jr., Amanda's estranged husband, was the attacker, shooting into the house with the intent to kill, specifically targeting Lamar Duberly, Amanda's new boyfriend.
• ☎️ A 911 call was made by Rachel Hendrick while she and Lindy Dobbins were hiding in a closet, with James actively trying to gain entry.
• 🚨 James fled the scene after the shootings, leading to a manhunt that ended with his arrest in Norton, Virginia.
• 🚔 James was charged with multiple crimes including first-degree murder, attempted murder, burglary, and aggravated stalking.
• 🏢 James had a history of domestic violence and was in court for a violation on the morning of the murders, appearing calm before the violent outburst.
• 🔮 The defense attempted to argue that James was not in a sound state during the attack, but this was contradicted by his behavior in court earlier that day.
• ⚖️ The jury found James guilty on all counts and recommended the death penalty, which was upheld on appeal, leaving him on death row.

Q & A

What was the initial reason for Rachel Hendrick, Lindy Dobbins, and Amanda Collie to gather at Amanda's house?

Rachel Hendrick, Lindy Dobbins, and Amanda Collie gathered at Amanda's house to comfort her regarding the breakdown of her marriage.

What was the condition of Amanda's house when she returned home on the morning of August 27, 2015?

Amanda's house had been trashed overnight with nothing stolen but belongings rifled through and torn apart, suggesting a search for evidence.

Who was Lamar Duberly and what was his relationship to Amanda Collie?

Lamar Duberly was Amanda Collie's boyfriend. They met while working in corporate management at Fanatics and started seeing each other after Amanda's separation from her husband.

What was the sequence of events that led to James Collie Jr. attacking Amanda's house?

James Collie Jr. broke into Amanda's house looking for evidence of her seeing someone new, ransacked the house, and then texted her with threats before heading to her house with firearms, ultimately attacking the occupants.

How did Rachel Hendrick escape the attack at Amanda's house?

Rachel Hendrick was shot in the arm but managed to escape by running out of the house and seeking help at a mutual friend's home.

What was the outcome of the 911 call made by Rachel Hendrick during the attack?

The 911 call made by Rachel Hendrick alerted the police to the ongoing attack, but by the time they arrived, James Collie Jr. had fled the scene.

What were the charges against James Collie Jr. following his arrest?

James Collie Jr. was charged with first-degree murder of Amanda Collie and Lindy Dobbins, attempted first-degree murder of Rachel Hendrick and Lamar Duberly, burglary with an assault or battery, burglary of a dwelling, and aggravated stalking after an injunction.

What was the defense's argument during James Collie Jr.'s trial?

The defense argued that the attack was not premeditated and that James was in an aggravated emotional state, possibly influenced by drugs, alcohol, or sleepwalking (parasomnia).

What was the jury's verdict and recommendation for James Collie Jr.?

The jury found James Collie Jr. guilty on all counts and unanimously recommended the death penalty, citing four aggravating factors beyond reasonable doubt.

What was the final outcome for James Collie Jr. as of the script's knowledge cutoff date?

As of the script's knowledge cutoff date, James Collie Jr. was sentenced to death, his appeal was upheld in 2020, and he remained on death row.

Outlines

00:00

😢 Tragic Beginnings: The 911 Call

The script opens with a dramatic 911 call from Rachel Hendrick, who, along with friends, finds herself in a life-threatening situation at Amanda Collie's house. The narrative sets the scene in a quiet, upscale neighborhood in Mirabella, St. Augustine, Florida, where Amanda had been living with her husband James Collie Jr. and their two children. The friends gather to comfort Amanda after her marriage breaks down, but the situation escalates into a violent attack, leaving Rachel injured and her friends dead. The community is left in shock, questioning the motive behind the brutal incident.

05:00

🔍 The Morning of Terror: James Collie's Attack

The second paragraph delves into the events of the fateful morning of August 27, 2015. Rachel Hendrick, upon hearing about Amanda's distress, joins Lindy Dobbins at Amanda's house to provide support. They discover the house in disarray, suggesting a break-in. As they assess the situation, James Collie, Amanda's estranged husband, appears and begins shooting at the house. The friends scramble for safety, with Lamar Duberly, Amanda's boyfriend, realizing the danger and urging everyone to flee. The chaos culminates in a 911 call as James hunts for Lamar, leading to a tense standoff within the house.

10:02

🚨 The Aftermath: Escape and Discovery

Paragraph three describes the harrowing aftermath of James Collie's attack. Rachel, despite being shot, manages to escape and seek help. Meanwhile, Lamar, who had fled earlier, encounters someone who also calls 911. By the time the police arrive, James has fled the scene, leaving behind a trail of destruction and two dead bodies. The narrative highlights the tragic loss of Amanda and Lindy, and the emotional toll on the surviving family members and friends. It also touches on the questions surrounding James's motive and the possible prevention of the tragedy.

15:03

🔎 Unraveling the Past: James and Amanda's Relationship

The fourth paragraph explores the background of James and Amanda's relationship, providing context to the tragic events. It reveals that James had a history of aggression, possibly influenced by his childhood experiences of his mother's violent reaction to his father's infidelity. Despite appearing to be a loving father, James's dark side emerges as the marriage deteriorates. The narrative details the escalating tension between James and Amanda, culminating in James's violent outbursts, including threats and acts of vandalism, leading up to the fatal day.

20:05

⚖️ Justice Served: The Trial and Sentencing

The final paragraph covers the legal proceedings against James Collie. It outlines the charges brought against him, including multiple counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, burglary, and aggravated stalking. The defense's argument of James being under the influence during the attack is refuted by evidence of his clear-headedness in court shortly before the murders. The jury finds James guilty on all counts, recommending the death penalty, which is later upheld on appeal. The paragraph concludes with a reflection on the impact of the tragedy on the surviving family members and a call for comments from the audience on the story and its potential preventability.

Keywords

💡911

911 is the emergency phone number in the United States, used for reporting urgent situations requiring immediate assistance from police, fire, or medical services. In the video, Rachel Hendrick calls 911 when she and others are in danger, illustrating the critical role this service plays in public safety. The call is a desperate plea for help during a life-threatening situation, highlighting the video's theme of sudden violence and the response of the emergency services.

💡Estranged husband

An estranged husband refers to a man who is separated from his wife, typically due to marital discord or the end of a relationship. In the video, James Collie Jr. is described as Amanda's estranged husband, which sets the stage for the tragic events that unfold. His estrangement from Amanda is a central element in understanding the motive behind his violent actions, as it is suggested that jealousy and a sense of loss contribute to his decision to attack.

💡Domestic violence

Domestic violence encompasses a range of abusive behaviors by one person against an intimate partner, such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. The video discusses a history of domestic violence between James and Amanda, with James exhibiting escalating aggression towards Amanda. This term is crucial for understanding the escalating tension leading to the tragic incident and the broader context of violence in relationships.

💡Rage

Rage is an intense feeling of anger that can lead to aggressive or violent behavior. The video describes James as being in a state of rage, which is a key factor in his decision to commit the violent acts. His rage is portrayed as a driving force behind the tragic events, illustrating the destructive power of unchecked emotions.

💡Stalking

Stalking involves following, harassing, or threatening someone in an obsessive or dangerous manner. In the video, James is described as having a history of stalking Amanda, which is a form of domestic violence and a precursor to the violent attack. The term is significant in understanding the pattern of control and intimidation that can be present in abusive relationships.

💡Murder

Murder is the unlawful and intentional killing of another human being. The video details the tragic murders of Amanda and Lindy by James, which are the central events of the narrative. The term 'murder' is used to describe the heinous acts committed by James, emphasizing the gravity and illegality of his actions.

💡Self-defense

Self-defense is the act of protecting oneself from harm, often involving the use of force to counter an immediate threat. In the video, Rachel and Lindy attempt to barricade themselves in a closet as an act of self-defense when they realize they are in danger. This concept is important for understanding their actions as a response to the imminent threat posed by James.

💡Trauma

Trauma refers to the deep psychological or emotional wounds caused by a distressing or life-threatening event. The video discusses the traumatic impact of the incident on the survivors and the community, highlighting the long-lasting effects of such violent events. The term 'trauma' is used to convey the profound and lasting damage caused by the murders and the attack.

💡Death penalty

The death penalty is the legal punishment of execution for certain crimes, often those involving murder. In the video, James is sentenced to the death penalty after being found guilty of multiple murders. This term is significant as it reflects the severity of his crimes and the societal response to such heinous acts.

💡Injunction

An injunction is a legal order issued by a court to prevent a person from doing a particular action. In the video, Amanda had a domestic violence injunction against James, which he violated by breaking into her house. The term 'injunction' is used to show the legal measures taken to protect Amanda and the extent to which James disregarded these protections.

💡Testimony

Testimony refers to evidence given by a witness under oath during a legal proceeding. The video includes details of the trial where various testimonies, including that of a medical examiner, played a role in the conviction of James. Testimonies are crucial in legal cases as they provide firsthand accounts of events and contribute to the establishment of facts.

Highlights

Rachel Hendrick's 911 call reveals the terrifying situation she found herself in at Amanda Collie's house.

Amanda Collie's upscale home in Mirabella, St. Augustine, Florida, was the scene of the tragic shooting.

Amanda, Lindy Dobbins, and Rachel Hendrick were friends who supported each other through personal struggles.

The morning of the shooting, Amanda's house had been ransacked, indicating a premeditated attack.

Lamar Duberly, Amanda's boyfriend and an ex-military, was initially a target of James Collie's attack.

James Collie's violent actions were driven by jealousy and rage over his estranged wife's new relationship.

Amanda and Lindy were killed in the attack, while Rachel was shot in the arm but managed to escape.

James Collie's history of domestic violence and aggression against Amanda escalated leading up to the murders.

Text messages between James and Amanda reveal his controlling and threatening behavior.

James had a domestic violence injunction against him, which he violated by breaking into Amanda's house.

The morning of the murders, James was in court for violating the injunction, appearing calm and collected.

James's defense argued for an emotional state influenced by drugs and alcohol, but this was contradicted by his court appearance.

The jury found James Collie Jr. guilty on all counts, including first-degree murder and attempted murder.

James was sentenced to death, a penalty that was upheld on appeal, leaving him on death row.

The tragic story highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of intervention.

Transcripts

[Music]

911 what is the address of your

emergency

scared I was scared um thinking that he

was coming into to kill this is the

voice of Rachel hendris a woman who just

happened to be in the wrong place at the

wrong time Rachel was one of three

friends invited to Amanda col's upmarket

house in a quiet suburb on an ordinary

Thursday morning in August 2015 they

were there to comfort Amanda about the

breakdown of her marriage Rachel could

not have predicted that not long after

she arrived she would be barricading

herself in a closet and pleading for her

life she was shot in the arm but she

managed to escape Amanda and another

friend were not so lucky Lindy Dobbins

was shot three

times Amanda her self was shot nine

times their lives ended in a hectic

burst of tragedy both leaving young

children behind these families were

ripped apart but why what was the reason

for this awful attack devastating a

quiet

community let's dive into the tragic

story of Amanda Ki For Whom the help of

the courtz came far too late

Amanda was living in her old Family

House in Mirabella St Augustine Florida

this was a pleasant upscale Community

chosen by her and her husband James

collie Jr as an idilic location to raise

their children mirabella's community

website describes it as Resort style

living close to home and to all

appearances the collies were living a

luxury Floridian life of bliss neighbors

recall watching James play with their

children in the culdesac trey who in

2015 was six and Avery who was four the

family lived a convivial social

existence they often had the neighbors

over for drinks and parties even when

the couple began to drift apart they

seemed to do so politely whatever went

on behind closed doors was just that

kept hidden from public

view it is for this reason that the

events of August 27th 2015 came as such

a devastating surprise to the entire

neighborhood around 9:00 a.m. on August

27th Rachel Hendrick was told that

something was going on with her friend

Amanda they've been friends for a few

years having met at a mutual

acquaintances party and the two of them

together with Lindy Dobbins had become a

close Trio they would watch each other's

kids and go to the neighborhood would

pool together in moments of distress too

they would call on each other so it made

sense that Lindy and Rachel got involved

on this fatal

morning that morning Rachel dropped her

kids off at school and then went to a

hairdresser friend's house to get her

hair done okay did there come a time

that you were notified um that something

was going on in Amanda's house yes and

who notified you that ly

after her hair appointment Rachel went

over to Amanda's

house I went inside I walked inside and

um walked up to Manda and Lindy Amanda

was crying um and I just give her a big

hug

and that it was going to be okay um I

saw AR at um very a mess everywhere

Amanda's usually pristine murabella home

had been trashed overnight while Amanda

was out when she'd returned at 9:00 a.m.

she found it in a state of disarray a

terrifying thing to come home to in any

circumstances but this was not an

ordinary Breakin nothing had been stolen

only rifled through and torn apart as

though the culprit had been looking for

evidence of something perhaps she

already realized how much danger she was

in then perhaps that's why she called

multiple friends over to be there with

her thinking of safety in numbers but

there was no such thing there were four

people in the home that morning Amanda

Lindy Rachel and Lamar duberly Lamar

duly was Amanda's boyfriend Amanda had

been formerly separated from her husband

James since June and she'd met Lamar in

April relationship started

professionally progress to personal

relationship um and then we began seeing

each other in June 2015

Lamar was ex-military he'd attended the

US Naval Academy and the Marine Corps

University he'd also worked at the

Pentagon he was an impressive man and he

met Amanda when they were both working

corporate management at Fanatics a

sportsare company as Amanda's

relationship with her husband broke down

she grew closer to Lamar and they began

seeing each other after the separation

as a result it was Lamar she called on

that fate full Thursday morning when she

found her house ransacked and her

belongings rifled through Lamar Lindy

and Rachel were all there to comfort

Amanda and make her feel safer in her

own home

again Amanda showed them the damage to

her property then Lamar showed Rachel

the damage to the garage while Lindy and

Amanda were talking upstairs rattled

Lamar and Rachel went back into the

living room unaware that the day's

trouble had Only Just Begun standing in

the living

room and um there was a loud shatter of

glass a small explosion like a bang so I

looked out back and I saw Mr colie

standing in the backyard with a handgun

shooting into the living room the

attacker was none other than Amanda's

estranged husband James he was shooting

at Rachel and Lamar in the house that

his family had previously shared so

seemingly happily together shattering

the windows and aiming to

kill I again was trying to figure out I

said what the hell is that um and he

said that's gun fire I was standing AC

here pop did not sound like a gun shot

from me initially I pick up the first

bullet hole um the second Bullet Hole

here closer to to where I was standing

James was aiming the gun from the

backyard he seemed in a rage shouting a

question where is he where is he Lamar

rapidly realized that James Amanda's

estranged husband was looking for him he

was Amanda's new boyfriend and if James

was here out of jealousy which Lamar

thought likely then Lamar was in severe

danger James had a gun and was not

afraid to use

it I I thought that that was the the

target individual and so

left Lamar yelled for everyone to run

then he ran out of the house through the

garage ducking under the garage door and

running between two houses in the

culdesac Amanda and Lindy were further

from the exit they had nowhere to go but

into the master bedroom Rachel ran up

into the master bedroom too Amanda hid

herself in the bathroom while Rachel and

Lindy barricaded themselves in the

closet um I P my foot up underneath the

door and um had my left hand on the door

knob Lindy had behind a chest of drawers

inside the master closet while Rachel

tried to barricade the closet door as

best she could meanwhile James entered

the house if he was looking for Lamar

clearly he hadn't realized that Lamar

had already escaped because James was

coming up the stairs gun in hand I heard

Mr h um in the

bathroom in conversation with Amanda

um when he had a call

911 this 911 call was at 10:36 a.m. the

women were in serious trouble and James

was in a frenzy screaming at Amanda

demanding where is he he didn't realized

he'd already scared Lamar off and that

the only people who remained in the

house were his estranged wife and her

friends Amanda said she didn't know

Amanda was you know very upset crying

saying that he's not in here I don't

know he's not in here um at one point I

believe Mr collie came over and tried to

get into the closet door and Amanda

said he's not in there that's Rachel and

Lindy at that time I heard a shot and

that was all I heard of Amanda

Rachel terrified was hiding in the

closet with Lindy on the phone to

911 they didn't know what had happened

to Amanda if her husband had shot and

killed her and James was looking to

wreak revenge on someone who wasn't

there Lamar duly what would he do when

he discovered that Lamar was long

gone Mr was trying to get into the

bathroom door saying open the door open

the door I'm going to shoot so he shot

through the door the bullet raised my

arm fearing for her life and in pain

from the bullet wound Rachel backed away

from the door allowing James to slam it

open but James wasn't interested in

Rachel at all he stalked straight past

her and went for Lindy who was on her

knees heard Lindy say oh my God no and I

ran out of the closet and heard a shot

Rachel ran out of the house looking for

someone to help she managed to escape

into a mutual friend's home meanwhile

Lamar had stumbled across someone else

who also called 911 for help but by the

time the police arrived on the scene

James collie Jr had fled leaving a trail

of Destruction behind him Rachel had

been wounded in the arm Lamar luckily

was unharmed but both Lindy and Amanda

were

dead Lindy had been shot three times and

Amanda had been shot nine times James

had shot her once before breaking into

the closet where Lindy and Rachel were

hiding and then eight more times after

he'd killed Lindy first using a 9mm

handgun shooting her three times with it

until it was out of bullets and then

using his 45 which he'd brought as a

backup this showcased a terrible level

of rage against his estranged wife but

why he'd been looking for Lamar jealous

of his wife's new relationship but how

had it got to this awful point

how did this tragedy

unfold not much is known about the

beginning of James and Amanda's

relationship Amanda was 36 in 2015 a

year older than James she was born in

Orlando Florida and had a successful

professional life and lots of friends

James seemed ordinary himself he worked

in the mortgage industry and led a

successful life alongside his

professional wife he was much loved by

his sister

Crystal for the moment he woke up till

the moment he went to bed he spent with

his

children um he helped them to swim but

this loving father had a dark side and a

dark past there were a time when your

your mom um acted viol toward your dad

in the presence of

jail yes um tell us about that um

there was a time um my father had been

having a maral affair my mother was

called and informed I saw her sitting on

the stairs with a baseball bat my mom

began hitting my father with a baseball

bat and my mom into the house to see us

for Thanksgiving and her and my father

got into another confrontation my dad

wasn't going to let her come into the

home and um my mother grabbed at

night James witnessed this aggression

around his father's extramarital Affair

by his mother to the extent that his

mother physically attacked his father

where he could see it maybe this did

something to his psyche as a defense

lawyer would certainly argue but James

and Amanda were separated by August 27th

2015 and had been separated for months

James was also seeing someone else his

rage-filled attack was the final awful

event in a long line of escalating

aggression against Amanda who just

wanted to escape an increasingly toxic

marriage James expressed

disproportionate jealousy over Lamar's

presence in Amanda's life despite the

separation a few months before the

murders a neighbor sent him a photo of

Lamar mowing Amanda's lawn without a

shirt on he reacted with Fury commencing

a barrage of abusive texts and

voicemails to Amanda that continued

until the day of the

murders he texted her oh and your

boyfriend has been parking at the

playground and walking around the back

the whole neighborhood knows you should

just have him park out front like a man

yeah everyone knows what you are don't

worry I will speak with him face to face

sooner than later Amanda responded he's

not my boyfriend like I've told you

before he helps me with the yard work

paint moving furniture Etc to which

James replied so why doesn't he Pro park

in the driveway if he isn't hiding and I

guess he is married right I have a pick

of

him these text messages were veiled

threats and he'd acted on these threats

before Amanda had a domestic violence

injunction against him and he'd already

broken that injunction by taking her

clothes from her house and setting them

on fire in the yard in fact he was in

court for this violation on the morning

of August 27th appearing calm and

collected less than an hour before he so

horrifically murdered his wife and her

friend James could be contrary the day

before the murders August 26th he also

texted Amanda please try to start

forgiving me so we can move on I really

miss you and our family being together

but he followed this conciliatory text

with another deeply intrusive act about

4:00 a.m. on August 27th he broke into

her house looking for evidence that she

was seeing someone new he found this

evidence including adult toys and men's

clothing he ransacked the house in a

rage this was what Amanda would come

home to at 9:00 a.m. this was why she

would call Rachel and Lindy fatally to

join

her that same day after vandalizing her

belongings he texted her you're an

awesome persons don't take me from my

kids it's all I have call me or I am

going to come find you this was one of

the last communications he would have

with her before killing her his threat

came true though she did call him and

argued with him on the phone at 9:41

a.m. about 10 minutes after he left the

courthouse this didn't stop him from

coming to find her anyway from the

courthouse he drove to a gas station

then to his sister's house where he'd

been staying

he then drove back to the same gas

station to buy gas before heading

straight to Amanda's house somewhere on

the way he must have picked up guns and

ammunition Because by the time he

arrived at Amanda's he was fully armed

with two handguns a 9 mm and a

45 on the way James called his father

his father was outside when he took the

call and a nearby dog walker overheard

it she testified she heard James's

father pleading please please son come

back and get your truck everybody knows

what you've been through and the person

on the other end of the call replied I

just can't take this

anymore this is when he arrived at

Amanda's house he parked on an adjacent

Street and approached the house from the

rear but he discarded all caution in

shooting straight at Rachel and Lamar in

the living room he was a man on a

terrible Mission and he wouldn't stop

until two people were

dead when he' killed Lindy and Amanda

James fled but with two witnesses Rachel

and Lamar Lamar unharmed and Rachel

mildly injured the police knew to search

for him immediately a Manhunt commenced

and he was found in Norton Virginia that

same night when another driver called

911 she said she'd been nearly run off

the road by a man driving recklessly she

said he has been stopped in the middle

of the road I had to stop he was on me I

couldn't even my kids are scared yeah my

mom had to sit in the back of my car to

keep my kids calm they're scared and I

have a newborn that's just

4B Norton police stopped James in his

car he possessed several Firearms they

ran a check and found him wanted for

homicide in Florida and he was arrested

he was charged with the first-degree

murder of Amanda colie the first-degree

murder of Lindy Dobbins the attempted

first-degree murder of Rachel Hendrick

the attempted first-degree murder of

Lamar duberly burglary with an assault

or battery burglary of a dwelling and

aggravated stalking after an injunction

at trial the defense argued that the

attack had not been premeditated and

that James had been in an aggravated

emotional state under the influence of

ambient or alcohol or other drugs and

experiencing parasomnia according to a

psychiatrist

effectively

sleepwalking however this defense was

severely weakened by his presence in

court only an hour and a half before the

killings at this court hearing he denied

being under the influence of any

intoxicants and responded sensibly and

reasonably to the injunction proceedings

this undermined the defense's later case

that because he had taken drugs and

drunk alcohol the night before alongside

taking an ambient to sleep he was in an

altered state in fact there was footage

to the

contrary the jury unanimously found

James collie Jr guilty on all counts

they also provided a unanimous

recommendation for the death penalty

based on four aggravating factors proven

Beyond reasonable doubt that he was

previously convicted of another capital

or violent felony which applied because

he had committed multiple murders and

attempted Murders At once that he

committed the murders while also

engaging in burglary that each murder

was especially heinous atrocious or

cruel and that he committed each murder

coldly callously and with

premeditation the medical examiner

testified that Amanda was aware

throughout the entire shooting process

being shot nine times before she died

this was a truly horrific crime James

was sentenced to death in November 2018

he appealed but in 2020 his sentence was

upheld he remains on death row and his

two children with Amanda are now living

with their

grandparents Lindy dobbin's three

children who were 16 10 and N at the

time of the murders remained with their

father what do you think about this

awful story could James's attack have

been prevented let us know your thoughts

in the comments below until next time

stay safe keep up with our Channel and

we will see you very soon on the decoder

[Music]

[Music]