Thousands attend funeral for slain student Richard Collins III

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (AP) -- A student whose fatal stabbing in Maryland is being investigated as a possible hate crime was remembered at his funeral as fun and sometimes mischievous, a person whom friends called on when they needed help.

A funeral for Richard Collins III was held Friday in Upper Marlboro. During the service a family member described the Bowie State University student as a gentleman.

Collins was set to graduate this week and had just been commissioned as an Army lieutenant. On Friday his casket was adorned with red, white and blue flowers.

Police say Collins, who was black, was fatally stabbed by Sean Urbanski while visiting the University of Maryland. Urbanski, who is white, is charged with murder and assault. The FBI is investigating the stabbing as a possible hate crime.

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