by Fred Gough ~ Hutch Post

A 33-year-old Hutchinson man was found guilty of all charges including first degree murder this afternoon after 14 and half hours of deliberations.

Other charges include 1st degree felony murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and being a felon in possession of a firearm and conspiracy to commit first degree murder, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, being a felon in possession of a firearm and aggravated intimidation of a witness.

Many family and friends of the victim, Jennifer Heckel began to cry as the verdict was read while Logsdon remained calm. The victims husband looked down towards the floor nearly in tears as the verdict was read.

Other family members and friends began hugging each other as the judge dismissed the jury, Logsdon then became agitated and began yelling profanities at the family and friends of the victim as well as the jurors as they were escorted from the courtroom. He was yelling, “I didn’t do this. I didn’t do this” He was then yanked from the courtroom by the numerous law enforcement officers and jail guards. Even the Sheriff and Under-Sheriff were present to ensure order. They kept the defendant in the judges chambers until the jury was escorted back to the jury room. He was then taken to jail and will most likely be taken back to the Ford County Jail where he has been housed since being charged in the case.

Normally, once the jury is relieved the two sides will then discuss any post trial motions by the defense and set a sentencing date. That didn’t happen because of the defendants out burst.

The trial lasted over 2-weeks and kept prosecutors and law enforcement busy with police detectives on and off the stand, and sheriff officers stationed throughout the 3rd floor of the Reno County to watch for anything that would be deemed a security risk, but as far as we know nothing happened.

District Attorney Keith Schroeder seemed nervous while waiting for the verdict, but in the end, it was worth it. Some of the prosecutors were seen hugging family and friends of the victim.

District Attorney Keith Schroeder spoke with after the verdict was read and told us, “I’m most happy for the family of Jennifer Heckel.” But he added, “I’m equally happy and proud of the Hutchinson Police Department, the Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and other agencies that helped out.” He says he was also pleased with the way his office pulled together with two of his attorney’s tied up in trial for 3-weeks. He says he’s proud of them as well.

As far as the facts in the case, Schroeder wouldn’t comment on that calling it “half time.” He says “we still have another half to play and I don’t want to play it in another stadium.” He’s referring to the possibility of the attorney’s for co-defendant Billy Craig Jr., seeking a change of venue for his trial which begins in late January.

The jury got the case Wednesday afternoon and all agreed that he is guilty of the crimes surrounding the murder of Jennifer Heckel on June 14 of last year. She had been shot in the back and also in the head while her young son listened to her being killed in another room.

The state has contended that this murder was a case of mistaken identity and that they intended to rob Kayla Salyer-Rodriquez. But, apparently ended up at the wrong house.

Logsdon will be sentenced on December 21 and is looking at life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25-years.