(Pool photo by Sandra Milburn ~ Hutch News)

The murder trial for Charles Christopher Logsdon is in the hands of the jury after both sides rested Wednesday morning.  

District Attorney Keith Schroeder started his closing by asking “Why?” He says that’s an age old question and says its what separates man from beast.  

He talked about the perfect crime and says for that to happen you have to remain quiet, but says the defendant didn’t do that. He says he wanted to “bask in the glory” loving the notoriety of his evil deeds.  

He says the killing was done swiftly not leaving much evidence such as DNA or other forensics. He told the jury that there were discussions of a conspiracy to rob Kayla Salyer-Rodriquez. There was common knowledge that she carried large amounts of cash because of her alleged drug dealing. Schroeder says he made statements to several people that he had killed her.  

Defense Attorney Michael Brown stated that there were inconsistent theories in the case, saying they were going to rob her, or going to kill her, get her over to Billy Craig’s home to rob her. He says his client stated consistently that he was not there. He says in all the interviews with law enforcement, they would ask, what did Billy tell you?  

He says in these supposed meetings, no one talked about killing anyone, just maybe a robbery.  

Co-defendant, Billy Craig Jr. was found in contempt of court because he refused to take the stand even after the state offered him testimonial immunity, meaning that any statements made in this trial could not be used against him in his trial.  

The defense asked for a mistrial because they say they were counting on being able to cross examine him over statements he made in the case and given as testimony from other witnesses. That was denied, but Judge Trish Rose did agree to tell the jury to ignore some statements made by three witnesses.  

Both Logsdon and Craig are charged with the murder of Jennifer Heckel on June 14 of last year, but allegedly, the intended victim was Kayla Rodriquez. They went to a northwest Hutchinson home and killed Heckel. Her little boy was in another room when he says heard four loud booms. Once the man left, he ran to a neighbors home for help.  

Craig faces a jury trial in January in front of Judge Tim Chambers.