The hearing scheduled for Friday for a 46-year-old Hutchinson man convicted of abuse of a child has been continued at the request of the state.

Troy Snell as part of a plea agreement in the case agreed to testify in the preliminary hearing for Billy Craig Jr., and Charles Christopher Logsdon. The two suspects are scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week, each charged with first degree murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charges coming from the shooting death of 27-year-old Jennifer Heckel. She was killed in her home at 501 Coronado back on June 14.

The state apparently wants to make sure he honors his agreement to testify at that hearing before he’s sentenced. His Attorney, Alice Osburn was before Judge Tim Chambers Thursday telling him that the state wants the hearing continued, one week, so that Snell can testify. That was granted by the judge.

Snell entered a plea for the beating of a boy 11-or-12 years-old. He was struck and kicked numerous times and had to be taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment

Snell has previous convictions for burglary, drugs, and other misdemeanor convictions.