Summit County authorities are asking the public for help in opposing parole for a man convicted of the 1975 slaying of an elderly Akron woman.Helen Shay, 83, was killed during a home break-in and burglary.Dale Edward Collins, a neighbor, was convicted of the crime and sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole after 20 years.Collins, now 53, is scheduled to appear March 27 in a full hearing before the Ohio Parole Board in Columbus.Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh, who opposes his release, is asking any of Shay’s surviving family members to attend the hearing or to provide input to the agency’s director of victim services, Kristen Arapp.Those wishing to contact Arapp, who will attend the hearing, should call the office’s Victim Services division at 330-643-2800.On Dec. 23, 1975, Collins, his brother and an accomplice, Michael Spuller, burglarized and ransacked Shay’s home on Morgan Avenue, Walsh said. Earlier in the day, Collins had shoveled her driveway, then paid a visit to Shay, promising not to bring anyone with him.When Shay answered the door, Collins pushed her down the basement steps, kicked her and choked her to death with a dog chain, Walsh said.Spuller, who was waiting outside, helped Collins and his brother as they ransacked the home.Shay’s sister, Julia Davis, discovered the body on Christmas Eve, Walsh said.April Wiesner, chief spokesperson for Walsh, said the public can oppose Collins’ release by sending a letter to the Ohio Parole Board, Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, 770 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH, 43222.The board also will accept email at DRC.Victim.
Services@odrc.state.oh.us.Wiesner said all correspondence should include Collins’ name and prison inmate number, A144774.Ed Meyer can be reached at 330-996-3784 or at emeyer@thebeaconjournal.com.