Murder suspect Billy Craig Jr., after being assigned a new attorney last month now has a new trial date his case involving the Jennifer Heckel murder. District Judge Tim Chambers set a date of November 13, at least as it stands now.
They had to make sure that his trial doesn’t interfere with the trial of Charles Christopher Logsdon will come before Judge Trish Rose on August 13, however that may change again next week. The state expects the two trials could each last 4-5 weeks each, because of the number of witnesses, and the complexity of the case.
Local Attorney Greg Bell told Judge Tim Chambers that he needs the list of civilian witnesses the state may call, so that an attorney he is considering as co-council in the case will know of there is any conflict, that being Wichita Attorney Carl Maughn. Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell informed the judge that the state would be willing to provide that information. It is apparently under seal, meaning that its not available for public consumption as well as the media.
Judge Chambers set a motion deadline in the case of August 31. Craig did waive his right to a speedy trial once again with his new attorney, just like he did with the previous one.
Craig along with Logsdon are charged with the murder of Jennifer Heckel last summer. Other charges against the two include conspiracy to commit first degree murder, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and being a felon in possession of a firearm. It’s believed that Logsdon actually fire the shot that killed Heckel, but Craig was also there. It’s believed the victim was shot in a case of mistaken identity.
Craig is also alleged to have been involved in a conspiracy to commit crimes associated with a fake driver’s licenses along with Kylie Hartman and Kasey Pisoni. Pisoni entered a plea in the case, while the charges against Hartman were dropped, however the state is expected to refile the charges.
In the drug case, Craig faces charges of possession methamphetamine with intent to sell within a thousand feet of Hutchinson High School, attempted sale of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package, possession of marijuana with a prior conviction, and unlawful possession of a fake drivers license which is now a charge of identity theft. This case occurring between June 1 and July 2, 2011.