The two men suspected in the murder of Jennifer Heckel last summer will be tried separately. We learned that this Friday when both were arraigned on the charges.
48-year-old Billy Craig Jr., was arraigned Friday morning in front of Judge Tim Chambers and remained mute as to the entry of any plea. Craig along with his attorney Donald Snapp appeared via video from the Reno County Jail and his attorney told Judge Tim Chambers that his client would remain mute, meaning the court then entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Judge Chambers also indicated that he would set a pre-trial hearing in the case within the next 30-days. He also told Snapp to see if an additional attorney could be assigned to assist him at trial considering the complexity of the case.
The jury trial is tentatively set for July 17.
Friday afternoon, 32-year-old Charles Christopher Logsdon was arraigned in front of Judge Trish Rose, and entered a not guilty plea, so the judge set at pre-trial hearing for April 6.
The two face a jury trial, each charged with first degree murder and other related charges in association with the death of 27-year-old Jennifer Heckel. She was killed in her home at 501 Coronado back on June 14 of last year. Evidence suggest she was a victim of mistaken identity.
Logsdon also faces trial for a charge of aggravated battery. He’s accused of shooting Eric Harbacek in the leg after an altercation on November 26, 2010.
The victim testified that a friend had called him and asked him to come to a home in the south part of Hutchinson. He says he arrived and at one point was sitting on the couch at the home at 108 South Severance. There was apparently argument over prison stuff between Harbacek and another man sitting on the couch with him. He alleges Logsdon then shot him in the leg.
Judge Chambers set a trial date of May 22, in that case, with a motions deadline for both sides set on April 2.
In the murder case, both men could see the state seek a Hard 50 sentence in that case if they’re convicted.