In the summer of 2023, a dispute over money between an employer and his employee took a fatal turn, leaving one man dead and the other facing a lifetime behind bars. William Amos Gholson Jr., a 43-year-old man, was shot and killed in his Vinita Park, Missouri, apartment on August 11, 2023. The man responsible for his death was his own employee, 35-year-old Rodney Collins.
The conflict between the two men centered around financial disagreements. Fueled by anger, Collins went to Gholson's apartment and shot him. In an attempt to cover his tracks, Collins admitted to cleaning the crime scene after the shooting. He then proceeded to steal several of his former boss's belongings, including his car, television, and tablets.
Despite his efforts to conceal the crime, investigators were able to identify Collins as the primary suspect. The weapon used in the murder was later discovered at Collins' home, further solidifying the case against him. Faced with the evidence, Collins confessed to the killing, citing his anger over the money dispute as the motive.
In April 2025, a St. Louis County jury found Rodney Collins guilty of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. The conviction for first-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. His sentencing was scheduled for June 12 of the same year.
