Suspect in Collins death pleads not guilty

By Matt Pordum

Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004 | 9:54 a.m.

A 33-year-old man accused of killing an aspiring Las Vegas rap singer in 2000 and then fleeing to Spain to avoid prosecution pleaded not guilty Monday.

Trial was scheduled for Aug. 22 for Christopher Berarducci, who is charged with murder with use of a deadly weapon in the death of Andre Collins, 31, son of former Nevada Assemblyman Gene Collins.

Authorities allege Berarducci shot Collins in the Green Room, a recording studio in the 800 block of East Sahara Avenue, on April 25, 2000.

Berarducci was returned to Las Vegas by Spanish authorities on Nov. 15, almost 22 months after his arrest, under unique circumstances.

Berarducci had been living in Calella, a resort town on the Mediterranean coast, but shortly after he was shown on America's Most Wanted, he came to the rescue of woman was being robbed at knifepoint, according to his attorney, Pete Christiansen.

After Berarducci helped the woman, his picture and name appeared in the town's local paper, Christiansen said. Christiansen said Spanish authorities arrested Berarducci shortly after, on Jan. 3, 2002.

Before Spain would extradite Berarducci to the United States, U.S. authorities had to agree not to seek the death penalty against him.